ECO C40 · King's Pawn Game

King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. Nxe5+1.45

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense (C40), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.45).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.453. Nxe5 Qe7 4. Nf3 d5 5. d3 dxe4 6. dxe4 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Bf5
  2. +1.393. Bc4 Nc6 4. d4 d6 5. h3 Nge7 6. d5 Nb8 7. a4 g6
  3. +1.113. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bc4 d6 5. d4 Bg4 6. d5 Nd4 7. Be3 Nxf3+

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White, continuing Qe7 4. Nf3 d5 5. d3 dxe4 6. dxe4 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Bf5. White is clearly better (+1.45). The next best moves are 3. Bc4 (+1.39) and 3. Nc3 (+1.11).
Is the King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.45: 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 King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense?
C40. 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+).