1. Nc3 became popular among professional players, and many grandmasters have added it to their repertoire or played it occasionally in official games: Nakamura, Morozevich, Rapport, Bauer, Vallejo Pons… However, it is especially in rapid games that it has reached the world elite, and the very best players in the world have tried it: Carlsen, Mamedyarov, Andreikin and Firouzja for example. I truly hope that seeing the very best players in the world playing it will convince even the most sceptical critics.

The author has presented a complete opening repertoire for White:

- After 1. Nc3, the game can take various transpositional paths.

- The opening move 1. Nc3 aims to control the center indirectly, and it allows for a flexible development of the pieces.

- The move prepares for subsequent development, and the game might transpose into various other openings depending on the subsequent moves by both players.

- While 1. Nc3 is not as popular or mainstream as some other first moves (like 1. e4 or 1. d4), it can be an interesting choice for players who want to steer the game away from well-known theoretical lines early on and enter into positions that might be less studied.

- As with any opening, understanding the resulting pawn structures, piece placements, and plans is crucial for successful play.

470 Seiten, gebunden, Thinkers Publishing, 1. Auflage 2024