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. 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, 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+).