Italian Game: Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack (C54)

The Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack is a variation of the Italian Game, 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 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up four points of material. It is Black to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s d-file pawn is isolated; the e-file file is fully open.

On the Italian Game generally: A classical opening focusing on rapid development and control of the center with pieces.

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.

Position characteristics

• Black material edge
• Isolated pawn
• Open file

Related Italian Game lines

• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Main Line
• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Modern Line
• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Modern Line
• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Bayonet Attack
• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Traditional Line
• Classical Variation, with d5
• Giuoco Piano, Aitken Variation
• Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation
• Classical Variation, Albin Gambit
• Deutz Gambit
• Giuoco Pianissimo
• Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation

See all 152 Italian Game variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack?

The Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C54.

What is the ECO code for the Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack?

The Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack is ECO C54. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Italian Game.

Is the Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack good for White?

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 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5 at -0.28 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.

What kind of position does the Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up four points of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s d-file pawn is isolated; the e-file file is fully open.