Italian Game: Classical Variation, Mestel Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
2,336 games: White 38.1% / Draw 4.0% / Black 57.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,8261,826 | ||
| 502502 | ||
| 33 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.91 White is better
Best play: 6... Nf6 7. d5 Nd8 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Nbd2 d6 11. Nc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Classical Variation, Mestel 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. Bg5 (6 moves).
In 2,336 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 38.1%, Black 57.9% and 4.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…Nf6, in 78% 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, Mestel Variation
The most played answer, 6…Nf6, also scores best for Black: 61.4%, with Black winning 59.4% and White 36.5% of 1,826 games. Of the main answers, 6…f6 scores lowest: 54.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…Nf6.
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, Mestel Variation (C53)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-classical-variation-mestel-variation