Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Maróczy Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. d3 h6 7. Nf3 e4 8. Qe2 Nxc4 9. dxc4 Be7
10. Nd4+0.19
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Maróczy Variation (C58), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. d3 h6 7. Nf3 e4 8. Qe2 Nxc4 9. dxc4 Be7, Stockfish 18 recommends 10. Nd4 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.19).
Top engine moves
- +0.1910. Nd4 c6 11. Nc3 cxd5 12. Bf4 Bb4 13. Nb5 O-O 14. O-O-O a6
- −0.3810. Nfd2 Bg4 11. Qe3 O-O 12. Nc3 Re8 13. O-O Bd6 14. Re1 Nh5
- −0.7010. Ng1 c6 11. Nc3 cxd5 12. Be3 dxc4 13. Qxc4 O-O 14. Nge2 Be6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Maróczy Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. d3 h6 7. Nf3 e4 8. Qe2 Nxc4 9. dxc4 Be7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10. Nd4 for White, continuing c6 11. Nc3 cxd5 12. Bf4 Bb4 13. Nb5 O-O 14. O-O-O a6. The position is roughly equal (+0.19). The next best moves are 10. Nfd2 (−0.38) and 10. Ng1 (−0.70).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Maróczy 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, Maróczy 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+).