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. 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, 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+).