Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation (C57)

The Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation is a variation of the Italian Game, catalogued as ECO C57. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Qe4 c6 10. a3 Na6 11. d4 Nc7, reaching the position shown below after 22 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move after 11 moves. Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.

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: Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation — position after Nc7 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Qe4 c6 10. a3 Na6 11. d4 Nc7

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bc4Nf6
4Ng5d5
5exd5Nxd5
6Nxf7Kxf7
7Qf3+Ke6
8Nc3Nb4
9Qe4c6
10a3Na6
11d4Nc7

ECO: C57

Stockfish: -0.70 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Italian Game lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation?

The Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Qe4 c6 10. a3 Na6 11. d4 Nc7. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C57.

What is the ECO code for the Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation?

The Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation is ECO C57. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Italian Game.

Is the Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Qe4 c6 10. a3 Na6 11. d4 Nc7 at -0.70 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for Black. 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 Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move. Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.