Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Pincus Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. d4 Bb4+
7. c3+1.15
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Pincus Variation (C57), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. d4 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. c3 for White. White is clearly better (+1.15).
Top engine moves
- +1.157. c3 f6 8. dxe5 fxg5 9. Bxd5 Be7 10. O-O Nxe5 11. Re1 Nf7
- −0.697. Nd2 Qxg5 8. Bxd5 exd4 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Nf3 Qg6
- −1.537. Bd2 Nf4 8. h4 h6 9. Nf3 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. g3 Ng6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Pincus Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. d4 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. c3 for White, continuing f6 8. dxe5 fxg5 9. Bxd5 Be7 10. O-O Nxe5 11. Re1 Nf7. White is clearly better (+1.15). The next best moves are 7. Nd2 (−0.69) and 7. Bd2 (−1.53).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Pincus Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.15: white is clearly 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, Pincus 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+).