Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Steinitz Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 d5 10. Ba3
10… dxc4−1.27
Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Steinitz Variation (C54), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 d5 10. Ba3, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… dxc4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.27).
Top engine moves
- −1.2710… dxc4 11. Re1 Qd5 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Nxe4 O-O-O 14. Qa4 b6 15. Rab1
- 0.0010… Bg4 11. Bb5 Qf6 12. Qb3 Bxf3 13. gxf3 Qxf3 14. Qxd5 Qg4+ 15. Kh1
- +0.2710… Be6 11. Bd3 Nd6 12. Rb1 O-O 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Ng5 g6 15. Nxe6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 d5 10. Ba3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… dxc4 for Black, continuing 11. Re1 Qd5 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Nxe4 O-O-O 14. Qa4 b6 15. Rab1. Black is clearly better (−1.27). The next best moves are 10… Bg4 (0.00) and 10… Be6 (+0.27).
Is the Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Steinitz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.27: black 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: Giuoco Piano, Steinitz 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+).