Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation (C56)

The Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause 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. O-O Bc5 6. e5 Ng4 7. c3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.

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
• Doubled pawns

Related Italian Game lines

• Scotch Gambit, de Riviere Defense
• Two Knights Defense, Keidansky Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack
• Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Berger Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense
• Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Rubinstein Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Perreux Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack
• 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 Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation?

The Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5 Ng4 7. c3. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C56.

What is the ECO code for the Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation?

The Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation is ECO C56. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Italian Game.

Is the Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5 Ng4 7. c3 at +0.49 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 Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two 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; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.