The Two Knights Defense, Keidansky Variation is a variation of the Italian Game, catalogued as ECO C56. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8. Nxc6 Bxf2+ 9. Kf1 Qh4, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up two points of material. It is White to move after nine moves. White’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.
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The Two Knights Defense, Keidansky Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8. Nxc6 Bxf2+ 9. Kf1 Qh4. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C56.
The Two Knights Defense, Keidansky Variation is ECO C56. 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 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8. Nxc6 Bxf2+ 9. Kf1 Qh4 at -0.50 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up two points of material. It is White to move. White’s e-file pawn is isolated.