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

The Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense is a variation of the Italian Game, catalogued as ECO C56. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 g6, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Black is ahead in development, with four minor pieces out to White's two, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair.

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
• Bishop pair
• Doubled pawns
• Open file
• Black development lead

Related Italian Game lines

• 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, Krause Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Rubinstein Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Perreux Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack
• Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt 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 Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense?

The Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 g6. 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, Loman Defense?

The Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense 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, Loman Defense good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 g6 at -0.28 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 Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Black is ahead in development, with four minor pieces out to White's two, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair.