C58 Italian Game: Two Knights

ECO code C58 covers a sharp branch of the Two Knights Defence: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5. White's knight jump targets f7, and Black answers by giving up a pawn. Rather than recapture on d5, Black attacks the bishop on c4 with 5...Na5, gaining time for development. After 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6, White keeps the extra pawn but must retreat the bishop, for example with 8.Bd3, while the knight on g5 is exposed. Black's compensation is a lead in development, open lines for the pieces and pawn moves such as ...h6 and ...e4 that drive White's minor pieces back.