Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack (C54)

The Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack is a variation of the Italian Game, catalogued as ECO C54. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. d4 Bxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bg5 d6 8. f4 Qe7 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at four minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after ten moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s e-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair; the d-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.

Italian Game: Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack — position after Nc3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. d4 Bxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bg5 d6 8. f4 Qe7 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. Nc3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bc4Nf6
4O-OBc5
5d4Bxd4
6Nxd4Nxd4
7Bg5d6
8f4Qe7
9fxe5dxe5
10Nc3

ECO: C54

Stockfish: -0.41 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Italian Game lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack?

The Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. d4 Bxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bg5 d6 8. f4 Qe7 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. Nc3. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C54.

What is the ECO code for the Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack?

The Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen 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 Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. d4 Bxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bg5 d6 8. f4 Qe7 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. Nc3 at -0.41 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 Giuoco Piano, Holzhausen Attack lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at four minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s e-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair; the d-file file is fully open.