Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C57), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5.

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6.Bf1 1 line
- C57 Kurkin Gambit

About this opening

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Ulvestad Variation 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 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 b5.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Two Knights Defense → Ulvestad Variation line). The immediate parent line is Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, transitioned via 5…b5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Nf6, 4.Ng5 d5, 5.exd5 b5. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.