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. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
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+).