Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fritz Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nd4
6. c3+0.33
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fritz Variation (C57), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nd4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. c3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.33).
Top engine moves
- +0.336. c3 b5 7. cxd4 bxc4 8. dxe5 Qxd5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Nf3 Nd7
- +0.216. d6 Qxd6 7. d3 Ne6 8. Nc3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nb5 Qc6
- +0.066. Nc3 h6 7. Nf3 Bf5 8. Nxd4 exd4 9. Ne2 Bc5 10. O-O O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fritz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nd4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. c3 for White, continuing b5 7. cxd4 bxc4 8. dxe5 Qxd5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Nf3 Nd7. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 6. d6 (+0.21) and 6. Nc3 (+0.06).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fritz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: white is slightly 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: Two Knights Defense, Fritz Variation?
C57. 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+).