Italian Game: Classical Variation, Closed Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7
5. d4+0.91
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Closed Variation (C53), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.91).
Top engine moves
- +0.915. d4 Bb6 6. O-O Nf6 7. b4 d6 8. a4 a6 9. a5 Ba7
- +0.885. b4 Bb6 6. a4 a6 7. O-O d6 8. a5 Ba7 9. d4 Nf6
- +0.875. O-O Bb6 6. d4 d6 7. a4 a5 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. Na3 Nf6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Closed Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. d4 for White, continuing Bb6 6. O-O Nf6 7. b4 d6 8. a4 a6 9. a5 Ba7. White is clearly better (+0.91). The next best moves are 5. b4 (+0.88) and 5. O-O (+0.87).
Is the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Closed Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.91: 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, Closed 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+).