The Moeller Attack is a variation of the Giuoco Piano, catalogued as ECO C54. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves.
On the Giuoco Piano generally: The 'Quiet Game' — a classical Italian opening where both sides develop bishops to active squares. Leads to rich middlegame play.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 9 Giuoco Piano variations →
The Moeller Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3. It is a variation of the Giuoco Piano and is catalogued as ECO C54.
The Moeller Attack is ECO C54. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Giuoco Piano.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 at -0.26 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move.