Italian Game: Classical Variation, Eisinger Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
688 games: White 54.7% / Draw 4.8% / Black 40.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 426426 | ||
| 262262 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.74 White is better
Best play: 7... Qxd6 8. Qxd6 cxd6 9. Ng5 Nh6 10. a4 Nc6 11. Na3 Bc7 12. Bd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Classical Variation, Eisinger Variation (ECO C53, Open Games) is a variation of the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. d5 Nb8 7. d6 (7 moves).
In 688 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.7%, Black 40.6% and 4.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…cxd6, in 62% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Italian Game: Classical Variation, Eisinger Variation
7…Qxd6 scores best for Black: 46.6%, with Black winning 43.1% and White 50.0% of 262 games. The most played answer, 7…cxd6, scores lowest: 40.7% in 426 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 7…Qxd6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Italian Game: Classical Variation, Eisinger Variation (C53)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-classical-variation-eisinger-variation