Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation (C54)

The Giuoco Piano, Bernstein 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. Qb3 d5, reaching the position shown below after 20 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White 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.

Position characteristics

• Black material edge
• Contested centre
• Isolated pawn
• Open file

Related Italian Game lines

• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Moeller-Therkatz Attack
• Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Traditional Line
• Classical Variation, with d5
• Giuoco Piano, Aitken Variation
• Giuoco Piano, Cracow Variation
• Giuoco Piano, Greco's Attack
• Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack
• Giuoco Piano, Krause 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 Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation?

The Giuoco Piano, Bernstein 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. Qb3 d5. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C54.

What is the ECO code for the Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation?

The Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation is ECO C54. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Italian Game.

Is the Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation good for Black?

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. Qb3 d5 at +0.48 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, 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 Giuoco Piano, Bernstein Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White 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.