Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C58), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black bishop — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Continue from this position

2 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

6.Bb5+ 4 lines
6.d3 2 lines
- C58 Kieseritzky Variation
- C58 Yankovich Variation

About this opening

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Polerio Defense is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C58. 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 10 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Two Knights Defense → Polerio Defense line). The immediate parent line is Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, transitioned via 5…Na5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Nf6, 4.Ng5 d5, 5.exd5 Na5. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.