Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Open Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4
4… exd4+0.12
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Open Variation (C56), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… exd4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.12).
Top engine moves
- +0.124… exd4 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8. Be3 O-O 9. Nxc6
- +0.524… d6 5. d5 Ne7 6. Nc3 g6 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. Qe2
- +0.774… Bd6 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 h6 7. Bb3 Re8 8. dxe5 Bxe5 9. Nxe5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Open Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… exd4 for Black, continuing 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8. Be3 O-O 9. Nxc6. The position is roughly equal (+0.12). The next best moves are 4… d6 (+0.52) and 4… Bd6 (+0.77).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Open Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.12: 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, Open Variation?
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+).