Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Suhle Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Be2 h6

ECO C59

The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense, Suhle Defense is a chess opening line in the Italian Game complex, 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.

It is catalogued under code C59 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move h6 is chosen by Black on move 8.

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.