Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Steinitz Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 h6 9. Nh3
9… Bc5−0.18
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Steinitz Variation (C59), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 h6 9. Nh3, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… Bc5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.18).
Top engine moves
- −0.189… Bc5 10. O-O Nb7 11. Nc3 Bxh3 12. gxh3 O-O 13. d3 Nd6 14. Kh1
- −0.149… Nb7 10. O-O Bc5 11. Nc3 O-O 12. d3 Nd6 13. Kh1 Bxh3 14. gxh3
- −0.129… Bxh3 10. gxh3 Bc5 11. Bf3 O-O 12. d3 Nb7 13. O-O Nd6 14. Nc3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 h6 9. Nh3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… Bc5 for Black, continuing 10. O-O Nb7 11. Nc3 Bxh3 12. gxh3 O-O 13. d3 Nd6 14. Kh1. The position is roughly equal (−0.18). The next best moves are 9… Nb7 (−0.14) and 9… Bxh3 (−0.12).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Steinitz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.18: the position is roughly equal. 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, Steinitz Variation?
C59. 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+).