Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 a6 8. h3 Nf6 9. Re1
9… O-O+0.80
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation (C53), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 a6 8. h3 Nf6 9. Re1, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… O-O for Black. White is clearly better (+0.80).
Top engine moves
- +0.809… O-O 10. b4 h6 11. d5 Nb8 12. a5 Ba7 13. Bf1 Nh7 14. Be3
- +0.809… h6 10. b4 O-O 11. d5 Nb8 12. a5 Ba7 13. Bf1 Nh7 14. Be3
- +0.889… Ba7 10. b4 O-O 11. b5 Na5 12. Bd3 Re8 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Nf1
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 a6 8. h3 Nf6 9. Re1, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… O-O for Black, continuing 10. b4 h6 11. d5 Nb8 12. a5 Ba7 13. Bf1 Nh7 14. Be3. White is clearly better (+0.80). The next best moves are 9… h6 (+0.80) and 9… Ba7 (+0.88).
Is the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.80: 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, Tarrasch 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+).