Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Krause Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Ne5+ Kf6 12. f3
12… Nd6+1.00
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Krause Variation (C54), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Ne5+ Kf6 12. f3, Stockfish 18 recommends 12… Nd6 for Black. White is clearly better (+1.00).
Top engine moves
- +1.0012… Nd6 13. Qxb4 Nc4 14. Nc3 Nxe5 15. dxe5+ Kf7 16. O-O-O c6 17. Qf4+
- +1.0012… Ng5 13. Qxb4 Nf7 14. f4 g6 15. Nd2 Kg7 16. O-O Rf8 17. Rae1
- +1.0512… Nc5 13. Qxb4 Nd7 14. f4 g6 15. O-O Kg7 16. Nd2 Rf8 17. Ndf3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Krause Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Ne5+ Kf6 12. f3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 12… Nd6 for Black, continuing 13. Qxb4 Nc4 14. Nc3 Nxe5 15. dxe5+ Kf7 16. O-O-O c6 17. Qf4+. White is clearly better (+1.00). The next best moves are 12… Ng5 (+1.00) and 12… Nc5 (+1.05).
Is the Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Krause Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.00: 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: Giuoco Piano, Krause Variation?
C54. 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+).