Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Bb3 Ba7 9. h3
9… h6+0.23
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line (C54), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Bb3 Ba7 9. h3, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… h6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.23).
Top engine moves
- +0.239… h6 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Nf1 Re8 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Qd7 14. Nf1
- +0.239… Re8 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Nf1 Be6 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Qd7 14. Nf1
- +0.269… Be6 10. Bc2 d5 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Bg5 Nh5 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Bh4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Bb3 Ba7 9. h3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… h6 for Black, continuing 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Nf1 Re8 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Qd7 14. Nf1. The position is roughly equal (+0.23). The next best moves are 9… Re8 (+0.23) and 9… Be6 (+0.26).
Is the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.23: the position is roughly equal. 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, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line?
C54. 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+).