Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Open Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4

ECO C56

The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Open Variation is a chess opening line in the Italian Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4.

It is catalogued under code C56 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d4 is chosen by White on move 4.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Fried Liver Attack course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.