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. 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, 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+).