Italian Game: Classical Variation, La Bourdonnais Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6
7. Bb5+0.45
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Classical Variation, La Bourdonnais Variation (C53), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bb5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.45).
Top engine moves
- +0.457. Bb5 Bd7 8. O-O Nge7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. h3 f5 11. e5 dxe5
- +0.447. h3 Nf6 8. O-O Nxe4 9. Re1 O-O 10. Rxe4 d5 11. Bxd5 Qxd5
- +0.417. O-O Nf6 8. h3 Nxe4 9. Re1 O-O 10. Rxe4 d5 11. Bxd5 Qxd5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Classical Variation, La Bourdonnais Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bb5 for White, continuing Bd7 8. O-O Nge7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. h3 f5 11. e5 dxe5. White is slightly better (+0.45). The next best moves are 7. h3 (+0.44) and 7. O-O (+0.41).
Is the Italian Game: Classical Variation, La Bourdonnais Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.45: white is slightly 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, La Bourdonnais 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+).