Controller for internal combustion engine

A controller for an internal combustion engine, the controller being adapted for an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve actuation device that changes a valve timing of an intake valve by changing a phase of an intake camshaft with respect to a crankshaft, wherein

• the controller includes a controlling section configured to control the variable valve actuation device such that the phase becomes a target value, and
• the controlling section is configured to execute
• a process of increasing an output torque of the engine by setting the target value of the phase to a steady state phase when an engine operating state is a steady state or by setting the target value of the phase to a transient state phase that is displaced away from the steady state phase when the engine operating state is a transient state,
• a process of calculating a load change rate as a predicted value of an increase rate of an engine load when the transient state phase is changed by a predetermined first change amount, and
• a process of setting a change amount of the transient state phase to the first change amount when the engine operating state is the transient state and the load change rate is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold or to a second change amount that is less than the first change amount when the engine operating state is the transient state and the load change rate is less than the threshold.