Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5
6… h6−0.07
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation (C50), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… h6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.07).
Top engine moves
- −0.076… h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. c3 Ne7 10. d4 Nxd5 11. dxc5
- −0.016… Na5 7. Bb3 c6 8. d4 Nxb3 9. axb3 exd4 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Bh4
- +0.136… Bb4 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 h6 9. Be3 O-O 10. h3 Re8 11. Re1
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… h6 for Black, continuing 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. c3 Ne7 10. d4 Nxd5 11. dxc5. The position is roughly equal (−0.07). The next best moves are 6… Na5 (−0.01) and 6… Bb4 (+0.13).
Is the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.07: 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: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation?
C50. 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+).