Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Nxe4
5. Bxf7++1.53
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit (C57), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Bxf7+ for White. White is clearly better (+1.53).
Top engine moves
- +1.535. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. d4 h6 7. Nxe4 Kxf7 8. d5 Nd4 9. c3 Nb5
- −0.375. Nxf7 Qh4 6. Qe2 Nd4 7. g3 Nxe2 8. gxh4 Nd4 9. Nxh8 Nxc2+
- −1.015. Nxe4 d5 6. Bd3 dxe4 7. Bxe4 Bd7 8. Qf3 Qh4 9. c3 g6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Bxf7+ for White, continuing Ke7 6. d4 h6 7. Nxe4 Kxf7 8. d5 Nd4 9. c3 Nb5. White is clearly better (+1.53). The next best moves are 5. Nxf7 (−0.37) and 5. Nxe4 (−1.01).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.53: 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, Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit?
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+).