Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Knight Attack

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C57), reached after 7 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5.

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4…d5 1 line
- C57 Normal Variation

About this opening

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Knight Attack is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C57. 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 7 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Two Knights Defense → Knight Attack line). The immediate parent line is Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, transitioned via 4.Ng5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Nf6, 4.Ng5. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.