ECO C56 · Italian Game

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5

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

6… d5+0.39

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack (C56), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… d5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.39).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.396… d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. fxg7 Rg8 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Kxe7 11. Re1+
  2. +0.586… Ng4 7. Bf4 d6 8. exd6 Bxd6 9. Re1+ Kf8 10. Qd2 Nf6 11. Ng5
  3. +2.066… Ng8 7. Ng5 Nh6 8. Re1 b6 9. Qh5 O-O 10. Nxh7 d5 11. Bxh6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… d5 for Black, continuing 7. exf6 dxc4 8. fxg7 Rg8 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Kxe7 11. Re1+. White is slightly better (+0.39). The next best moves are 6… Ng4 (+0.58) and 6… Ng8 (+2.06).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.39: 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, Max Lange Attack?
C56. 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+).