The Giuoco Piano, Aitken Variation 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 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Ba3, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move after ten moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s d- and a-files pawns are 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.
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The Giuoco Piano, Aitken Variation 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 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Ba3. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C54.
The Giuoco Piano, Aitken Variation is ECO C54. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Italian Game.
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 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Ba3 at +1.53 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for White. 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. Development is level at four minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s d- and a-files pawns are isolated; the e-file file is fully open.