1. Nf3 versus 1. Nc3

1. Nf3 is the 3. most common opening move. 1. Nc3 is number 8 on the list, and used very rarely, in fact only once for every 73 times 1. Nf3 is played. At the surface these two moves look rather similar. However, while 1. Nf3 is favoring White (56-44), 1. Nc3 is favoring Black (54-46). These numbers are calculated using the date in the Game Explorer.

Can anyone explain why this is so? To me it seems rather stange, that opening with the Knight that defends the King pawn is so much worse than opening with the one that defends the Queen pawn. Can anyone give a good explanation for this odd disparity? 

Thanks!

Sure.  Nf3 stakes some claim in the centre, specifically the e5 square which black will need to support in order to push his e-pawn there.  Nf3 also helps support c4 and/or d4.

Nc3 doesn't do much to influence the centre.  Black does not have to support the d5 square because the Q is already supporting it.  The N on c3 becomes a target of pawn advances and wastes tempi.  Nf3 does not have this problem.  Also, Nc3 doesn't really support e4 or f4 because playing these moves with the N already on c3 leads to easy equality for black (compare the Vienna: 1.e4, e5 2.Nc3 which is interesting and was feared 100 years ago, but black has found several ways to equalize with a comfortable game.)

1.Nf3 is more flexible and allows white to fight for an advantage.

Hope this helps.

1.Nf3 is a step towards castling, while 1.Nc3 is not. And probably more importantly, in d4 openings, you almost always want your c pawn moved first to c4 some time before you play Nc3, so with 1.Nc3, you either somehow try to transpose into a decent e4 opening or you get stuck with an awkard d4 opening. Another thing is that in almost all openings the king's knight goes to nf3, whereas in some, you may want your queen's knight in d2, or as I said, on c3 after the c pawn moves.

That would be my uneducated guess.

1.Nf3 stops e5 but 1.Nc3 doesn't stop d5.  If you play 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 then you're at least attacking something which is nice.

Thanks people! Much appreciated! :)

Philidor and VolleyCheck hit the nail on the head.I have nothing more to say.

+1

What's the point of the Ruy Lopez example??

because Nf3 usually results in many more openings.

and gets you a pawn.

Yes very agreeable. And Nc3 prevents c3/c4, while Nf3 prevents f3. When do you want to play f3. Nc3 just isn't very flexible. Black can chose its own plan.

Why are some people (jackli13 and jan2fonsie) posting completely unrelated games???

Very nice explanation, AnthonyCG. :)

umm Nc3 is much better because it helps you to castle queenside it should be 3rd most popular nc3 is SOOOO underated