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Italian Game

You play White. It starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4.

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The Italian Game after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

The Italian Game aims the bishop at f7, Black's weakest point at the start. Today's top players choose the slow plan with c3 and d3: a healthy centre, a safe king, and a long fight in which White slowly gains space.

The course is built from 36,625 games of the Italian Game by strong players in Chess Castles' database: the lines below are the ones they really play, with the score White made in each.

The first moves, one by one

  1. 1.e4 It takes a centre square (e4). It opens a line for the queen on d1. It opens a line for the bishop on f1.
  2. 1...e5 It takes a centre square (e5). It opens a line for the queen on d8. It opens a line for the bishop on f8.
  3. 2.Nf3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (d4, e5). It attacks the pawn on e5.
  4. 2...Nc6 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (d4, e5).
  5. 3.Bc4 It develops the bishop into the game. It controls the centre (d5). Now castling is possible.

Giuoco Piano (3...Bc5)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5

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Italian Game: Giuoco Piano (3...Bc5)

Move by move

  1. 3...Bc5 It develops the bishop into the game. It controls the centre (d4).

Plans for White

  • Against 3...Bc5 play c3, d3, O-O and Re1, then a4 to gain space on the queenside.
  • The knight goes b1-d2-f1-g3 and the bishop often retreats to b3 or a2, keeping its eye on f7.
  • Watch out: When Black plays ...d5 at the right moment the centre opens: keep your pieces ready and your king castled.

Two Knights Defence (3...Nf6)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6

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Italian Game: Two Knights Defence (3...Nf6)

Move by move

  1. 3...Nf6 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5). It attacks the pawn on e4.

Plans for White

  • Against 3...Nf6 the safe choice is 4.d3: no early adventures, simply develop and castle.
  • 4.Ng5 attacks f7 at once; after 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 Black gives a pawn for quick development, so you must know the lines.

Quiet replies (3...Be7, 3...d6)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7

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Italian Game: Quiet replies (3...Be7, 3...d6)

Move by move

  1. 3...Be7 It develops the bishop into the game.

Plans for White

  • Against quiet moves like 3...Be7 or 3...d6, take the centre with d4 at once: Black is a little passive.
  • Develop fast and look for open lines toward f7 and the black king.

Other replies

  • The Italian plan works against almost everything: c3, d3, castle, Re1 and a slow build-up.
  • Watch for tactics on f7 for you, and on f2 for Black.

How each line scores

LineMovesGamesWhite scores
3...Bc5 · Giuoco Piano1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc518,36052%
3...Nf6 · Two Knights Defense1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf616,42053%
3...Be7 · Hungarian Defense1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be71,21461%

The score counts a win as 1 and a draw as ½, from White's side, in games between strong players.

On the board: the course (plans, model games, puzzles from real games of the opening), and the opening trainer, which drills the moves until you know them (a free account keeps your progress).

More openings: Caro-Kann Defence, Jobava London, Chebanenko Slav, Ruy Lopez, Queen's Gambit, London System, Sicilian Najdorf, French Defence, King's Indian Defence, Queen's Gambit Declined.