Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5
6. Bf1+0.46
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation (C57), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Bf1 for White. White is slightly better (+0.46).
Top engine moves
- +0.466. Bf1 Nd4 7. c3 Nxd5 8. cxd4 Qxg5 9. Bxb5+ Kd8 10. O-O Rb8
- +0.236. Bxb5 Qxd5 7. Bxc6+ Qxc6 8. O-O Bd6 9. Qf3 e4 10. Re1 O-O
- +0.146. Be2 Nd4 7. Nf3 a6 8. a4 Nxf3+ 9. Bxf3 e4 10. Be2 b4
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Bf1 for White, continuing Nd4 7. c3 Nxd5 8. cxd4 Qxg5 9. Bxb5+ Kd8 10. O-O Rb8. White is slightly better (+0.46). The next best moves are 6. Bxb5 (+0.23) and 6. Be2 (+0.14).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.46: white 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, Ulvestad 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+).