Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack (C56)

The Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack 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 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 d5 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. Nc3 Qa5 9. Nxe4 Be6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Nf6+ Ke7 13. b4, reaching the position shown below after 25 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after 13 moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has the bishop pair; the e-file file is fully open.

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
• Open file

Related Italian Game lines

• Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Krause 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, Fegatello Attack, Leonhardt Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Fried Liver Attack
• Two Knights Defense, Fritz Variation
• Two Knights Defense, Fritz, Gruber 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, Yurdansky Attack?

The Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 d5 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. Nc3 Qa5 9. Nxe4 Be6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Nf6+ Ke7 13. b4. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C56.

What is the ECO code for the Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack?

The Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack 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, Yurdansky Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 d5 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. Nc3 Qa5 9. Nxe4 Be6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Nf6+ Ke7 13. b4 at -0.27 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, Yurdansky Attack lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at four 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 the bishop pair; the e-file file is fully open.