Chess Openings Lab
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Italian Game: Hungarian Defense

The Hungarian Defense is 3...Be7, a modest reply to the Italian where the bishop guards the kingside instead of fighting for f2. White gets a free hand in the center with d4, while Black aims for a compact setup with ...d6, ...Nf6 and short castling.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7
ECO
C50
Engine
+0.46 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
4,621 games in our lichess sample
White scores
48.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Strike with d4 at once: after ...exd4 Nxd4 White has a free center and easy development.
  • After ...d6, trade on c6 and push e5 to open lines against Black's queen and king.
  • Develop with Nc3 and castle; the c4 bishop keeps watch on f7 the whole game.
  • Use the space edge to put rooks on d1 and e1 behind the center pawns.

Black

  • Answer d4 with ...exd4 and ...d6, then castle; the bishop on e7 keeps the king safe.
  • After Nxc6, recapture with the b-pawn and meet e5 with ...Qd7 to stay compact.
  • Look for a tactical ...Nxe4 when White's center pieces are loose, as in the Nc3 line.
  • Keep ...d5 in mind as a later freeing break when the e4 pawn lacks support.

Plans and pawn structure

Black accepts a passive but solid position. White plays d4 and gains central space, then develops with Nc3, O-O and Re1. If Black takes on d4, the center opens and White's pieces become active; if Black holds e5 with ...d6, the game becomes a Philidor-like structure. Black's long-term goal is ...d5 or ...f5 to free the position, but only after castling and getting every piece out.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.46: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.46 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 d6 6.Nxc6 bxc6
  2. +0.43 4.O-O Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 O-O
  3. +0.35 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d4 Nxe4 6.Nxe4 d5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

4,621 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.9%.

under 120050.3%
1200–159948.1%
1600–199949.5%
2000 and up48.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Benima Defense4.d4 · 1,949 games
  • Hungarian Defense, Tartakower Variation4.d4 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play d4 straight away and take back with the knight. Develop with Nc3 and castle, then use the center. Do not try a quick Ng5 attack against f7 here: with the bishop on e7 and ...Nf6 coming, the king is well covered.

Questions

What are the moves of the Italian Game: Hungarian Defense?

The Italian Game: Hungarian Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7. Its ECO code is C50.

Is the Italian Game: Hungarian Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.46 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 4,621 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.9%. A safe choice for defensive players who want to avoid theory, but it hands White an easy space edge.

What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Hungarian Defense?

Black avoids sharp lines and sets up solidly with ...Be7, ...d6 and ...Nf6. White takes the center with d4 and plays for space, and Black waits for ...d5 or ...f5 to free the game.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with O-O and Nc3 close behind. 4.d4 hits the e5 pawn and opens the center while Black's pieces are passively placed.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.