Italian Game: Classical Variation, Mestel Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. Bg5
6… Nf6+0.35
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Mestel Variation (C53), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.35).
Top engine moves
- +0.356… Nf6 7. d5 Nb8 8. d6 cxd6 9. O-O h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Bd5
- +0.966… f6 7. Be3 exd4 8. cxd4 Qxe4 9. O-O d6 10. Nc3 Qg6 11. Ne2
- +1.356… Qd6 7. O-O exd4 8. e5 Qg6 9. a4 a5 10. cxd4 Nxd4 11. Nc3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Mestel Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Nf6 for Black, continuing 7. d5 Nb8 8. d6 cxd6 9. O-O h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Bd5. White is slightly better (+0.35). The next best moves are 6… f6 (+0.96) and 6… Qd6 (+1.35).
Is the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Mestel Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.35: 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, Mestel 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+).