Library/Openings/Italian Game/Classical Variation/Tarrasch Variation ECO C53
Opening· 17 plies

Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C53), reached after 17 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 a6 8. h3 Nf6 9. Re1.

Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation ECO C53
87654321
abcdefgh
Black rook
Black bishop
Black king
Black rook
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black queen
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black bishop
Black knight
Black pawn
Black knight
Black pawn
White pawn
White bishop
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White rook
White knight
White bishop
White queen
White rook
White king
17/17
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.
  11. 6.
  13. 7.
  15. 8.
  17. 9.
Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Italian Game: Classical Variation, Tarrasch Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C53. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 17 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 a6 8. h3 Nf6 9. Re1.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Variation → Tarrasch Variation line). The immediate parent line is Italian Game: Classical Variation, transitioned via 9.Re1.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Bc5, 4.c3 Qe7, 5.d4 Bb6, 6.O-O d6. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.