Italian Game: Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6
6. O-O+0.88
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation (C53), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. O-O for White. White is clearly better (+0.88).
Top engine moves
- +0.886. O-O Nf6 7. b4 d6 8. a4 a6 9. d5 Nb8 10. a5 Ba7
- +0.736. a4 a5 7. d5 Nb8 8. d6 Qxd6 9. Qxd6 cxd6 10. Ng5 Nh6
- +0.726. d5 Nb8 7. a4 a5 8. d6 Qxd6 9. Qxd6 cxd6 10. Ng5 Nh6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. O-O for White, continuing Nf6 7. b4 d6 8. a4 a6 9. d5 Nb8 10. a5 Ba7. White is clearly better (+0.88). The next best moves are 6. a4 (+0.73) and 6. d5 (+0.72).
Is the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.88: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation?
C53. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).