Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Yankovich 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 Bc5 10. Nfd2
10… O-O−0.59
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Yankovich 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 Bc5 10. Nfd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… O-O for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.59).
Top engine moves
- −0.5910… O-O 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Qf1 Bb4+ 13. c3 Bd6 14. h3 Bh5 15. Be3
- −0.1010… Qe7 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Qf1 Bb4+ 13. c3 Bd6 14. h3 Bd7 15. Be3
- +0.1610… Bg4 11. f3 Bf5 12. Nb3 Bd6 13. O-O O-O 14. f4 b5 15. cxb5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Yankovich 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 Bc5 10. Nfd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… O-O for Black, continuing 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Qf1 Bb4+ 13. c3 Bd6 14. h3 Bh5 15. Be3. Black is slightly better (−0.59). The next best moves are 10… Qe7 (−0.10) and 10… Bg4 (+0.16).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Yankovich Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.59: black 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, Polerio Defense, Yankovich 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+).