Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening: what should Black play?

In the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening (ECO C55), Black faces a decision regarding the awkward placement of the d6 on d6. The computer engine's top recommendation is the redeployment Bc5, which carries an evaluation of +0.31 and repositions the piece onto an active diagonal. Although played in only 5.2% of the 1,235 recorded games, this retreat addresses Black's clogged central pawns directly.

The Strategic Value of Bc5

Moving the dark-squared bishop via Bc5 frees the d-pawn to advance later and exerts pressure toward the center. While White has scored 58.6% from this continuation, the engine ranks it as Black's most resilient choice. An illustrative engine continuation follows Bc5 O-O d6 c3 a5 h3, where Black solidifies e5 and gains space on the queenside to halt White's expansion.

Popularity of the Kingside Castle

By far the most common human approach is O-O, selected in 76.4% of recorded games (943 games). Despite its overwhelming popularity, the engine evaluates kingside castling slightly lower at +0.53, with White scoring 54.7% across the database. The engine's illustrative line continues O-O O-O Be7 c3 a5 Re1, showing Black subsequently redirecting the bishop to e7 to permit central development.

Queenside Pawn Probes

Black also frequently tests the queenside before committing the king. The flank thrust a6 accounts for 11.1% of games (eval +0.44, White scoring 60.2%) and often prompts a6 O-O Bc5 c3 d6 b4. Alternatively, Black can halt White's pawn directly with a5, played in 5.2% of games (eval +0.41, White scoring 64.1%), illustrated by a5 Nc3 O-O h3 Bc5 Be3. The modest retreat Be7 remains rare at 2.2% (eval +0.59), where White has scored 50.0% through Be7 O-O O-O c3 d6 Re1.