ECO C58 · Italian Game

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Colman Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Qf3 Rb8

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

9. Be2+0.19

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Colman Variation (C58), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Qf3 Rb8, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. Be2 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.199. Be2 Be7 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Qxe4 O-O 12. O-O Rb4 13. Qe3 f5
  2. +0.169. Bd3 Bd6 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 O-O 12. g4 Nb7 13. Nc3 Nc5
  3. −0.339. Bxc6+ Nxc6 10. Qxc6+ Nd7 11. Nf3 Rb6 12. Qe4 Bb7 13. Qe2 Be7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Colman Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Qf3 Rb8, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. Be2 for White, continuing Be7 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Qxe4 O-O 12. O-O Rb4 13. Qe3 f5. The position is roughly equal (+0.19). The next best moves are 9. Bd3 (+0.16) and 9. Bxc6+ (−0.33).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Colman Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.19: 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: Two Knights Defense, Colman Variation?
C58. 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+).