The Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation, Kurkin Gambit 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 b5 6. Bf1 h6 7. Nxf7, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5, Black on e5). Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up two points of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has doubled pawns on the d-file; 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.
See all 152 Italian Game variations →
The Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation, Kurkin Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bf1 h6 7. Nxf7. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C57.
The Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation, Kurkin Gambit is ECO C57. 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. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bf1 h6 7. Nxf7 at +1.00 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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 d5, Black on e5). Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up two points of material. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the d-file; Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.