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. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
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+).