Italian Game
Classic opening ideal for learning. Natural piece development to active squares.
The Italian Game is a White opening defined by 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. The bishop aims at f7, the weakest square in Black's camp, and clears the way for short castling. Depending on Black's reply, the game stays slow and strategic (Giuoco Piano, Giuoco Pianissimo) or turns sharply tactical (Two Knights Defense, Evans Gambit).
- ECO code
- C50–C59
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
- Style
- Tactical
- Recommended level
- Beginner
- Played by
- Gioachino Greco, Adolf Anderssen, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana
The idea: a bishop aimed at f7
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, White puts the bishop on its most active diagonal. On c4 it eyes f7, a pawn that only the king defends early in the game. Almost every quick attack on the black king, whether with Ng5 or a sacrifice on f7, starts from there.
The bishop also controls d5, the square where Black would like to free the position, and it clears f1 so White can castle at once. White then picks a center: c3 and d4 for a broad pawn center, or d3 for a slower setup.
f7 is only defended by the king - a classic weakness!
Two ways to build the center
Against 3...Bc5, the most direct plan is c3 followed by d4. The c3 pawn supports the push, and d4 hits both the e5 pawn and the c5 bishop. If White keeps two pawns side by side on d4 and e4, the pieces get space and the e5 push can drive the f6 knight away.
Black has a proven answer, though. After 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2, Black strikes with 8...d5. White's big center often shrinks to an isolated pawn on d4.
That is why modern players often prefer d3, the Giuoco Pianissimo: e4 stays solid, White castles and maneuvers, and plays d4 only once everything is ready. The Evans Gambit, 4.b4, makes the opposite choice: a pawn for the time to play c3 and d4 while hitting Black's bishop.
Three replies for Black
On move three, Black sets the tone of the game: symmetrical development, a counterattack on e4, or a cautious defense.
3...Bc5, the Giuoco Piano
Black mirrors White's development: the bishop eyes f2 just as the c4 bishop eyes f7. White then chooses between an open center with c3 and d4, slow play with d3, and the Evans Gambit (4.b4).
3...Nf6, the Two Knights Defense
More provocative: the knight attacks e4 and allows 4.Ng5, hitting f7 twice. After 4...d5 5.exd5, the main line is 5...Na5, giving a pawn for a lead in development; 5...Nxd5? allows 6.Nxf7, the Fried Liver Attack. Calmer players answer 4.d3.
3...Be7 or 3...d6, the cautious defenses
The Hungarian Defense (3...Be7) and the Paris Defense (3...d6) avoid all tactics around f7 but stay passive. White plays d4 and takes more space in the center at no risk.
The Giuoco Pianissimo structure
In the slow line, for example 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 a6 8.Bb3 Ba7 9.Nbd2, the centers are symmetrical: e4 and d3 for White, e5 and d6 for Black. No pawns have been traded, and each side keeps its break in reserve: d4 for White, ...d5 for Black.
Both active bishops step out of harm's way. White's bishop drops back to b3, where ...d5 no longer hits it and from where it can still retreat to c2. Black's bishop goes to a7, where pushes like b4 or d4 can no longer chase it off its diagonal.
Since few pieces get traded, the game is decided by maneuvering, and whoever opens the center at the right moment takes the initiative. Very similar positions arise from the Two Knights Defense: 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5.
Plans for both sides
In the same Giuoco Pianissimo position, each side has two typical ideas.
White
- The Nbd2-f1-g3 maneuver The knight leaves d2, where it blocks the c1 bishop, and reaches g3 via f1. From there it eyes f5 and h5 and supports a kingside attack.
- Gaining space with a4 a4 stops ...b5 and frees the a2 square: when ...Na5 attacks the b3 bishop, it drops back to a2 and stays on the diagonal toward f7.
Black
- Preparing the ...d5 break With ...h6, ...Re8 and ...Be6, Black prepares ...d5. Well prepared, this push opens the center while White's pieces are still maneuvering.
- Challenging the diagonal with ...Be6 ...Be6 confronts the b3 bishop. If White takes on e6, ...fxe6 opens the f-file for Black and strengthens their grip on d5.
The trap to know: Légal's Mate
The Paris Defense, 3...d6, leads to a classic trap. After 4.Nc3 Bg4 5.h3 Bh5?, the black bishop pins the f3 knight to the queen on d1, and the e5 pawn looks untouchable: if the knight moves, the queen falls.
Your turn, with White: find the move that shows this pin is not a real one.
Hint Leave the queen hanging: which white pieces could then attack the black king?
Explanation
6.Nxe5! gives up the queen. If 6...Bxd1??, then 7.Bxf7+ Ke7, the only legal move, and 8.Nd5#: this is Légal's Mate. The king is boxed in by its own pieces on d8, f8 and d6, and by White's bishop and both knights. If Black does not take the queen, they lose at least a pawn: 6...Nxe5 7.Qxh5 Nxc4 8.Qb5+ c6 9.Qxc4, or 6...dxe5 7.Qxh5. The right reaction was 5...Bxf3 or 5...Be6 instead of keeping the pin.
Common mistakes
These come up often in club games, on both sides of the board.
- Attacking f7 too early: against 3...Bc5, 4.Ng5?? loses a piece to 4...Qxg5, because no white piece defends g5.
- Sacrificing on f7 with no follow-up: Bxf7+ only works if other pieces can exploit the exposed king. Otherwise it is just a piece for a pawn.
- Leaving the c4 bishop without a retreat: ...Na5 and ...d5 chase it with gain of time. Bb3, then c3 (freeing c2) or a4 (freeing a2), keeps it active.
- Recapturing 5...Nxd5 after 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5: the d5 knight becomes a target, and 6.Nxf7 or 6.d4 launches a very dangerous attack. 5...Na5 is the main line.
- Delaying castling: in the Italian, the e-file and the c4-f7 diagonal open quickly. Both sides should get their king to safety early.
What the games say
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000–1399 | 74,423,225 | 51% | 4% | 45% |
| 1400–1799 | 112,160,165 | 51% | 4% | 45% |
| 1800–2199 | 46,472,610 | 50% | 5% | 46% |
| 2200+ | 3,534,311 | 48% | 7% | 46% |
| Moves | Games | Share of games, in % |
|---|---|---|
| 3...Nf6 | 25,061,227 | 34 |
| 3...Bc5 | 18,940,500 | 25 |
| 3...h6 | 13,163,577 | 18 |
| 3...d6 | 5,104,565 | 7 |
| Other moves | 12,153,356 | 16 |
| Moves | Games | Share of games, in % |
|---|---|---|
| 3...Bc5 | 36,960,726 | 33 |
| 3...Nf6 | 32,332,036 | 29 |
| 3...h6 | 18,677,475 | 17 |
| 3...d6 | 7,854,377 | 7 |
| Other moves | 16,335,551 | 15 |
| Moves | Games | Share of games, in % |
|---|---|---|
| 3...Bc5 | 18,671,334 | 40 |
| 3...Nf6 | 15,125,365 | 33 |
| 3...h6 | 3,298,073 | 7 |
| 3...Be7 | 2,987,902 | 6 |
| Other moves | 6,389,936 | 14 |
| Moves | Games | Share of games, in % |
|---|---|---|
| 3...Nf6 | 1,668,041 | 47 |
| 3...Bc5 | 1,463,296 | 41 |
| 3...Be7 | 199,919 | 6 |
| 3...d6 | 70,170 | 2 |
| Other moves | 132,885 | 4 |
236,590,311 blitz, rapid and classical games played on Lichess (Lichess opening explorer, October 4, 2026). Lichess ratings, not FIDE Elo.
Practice
This page explains the opening. The lesson makes you play it: you play the moves, the coach comments on each one and offers three levels of hints.
Interactive lesson
Italian Game
About 8 min · 4 variations · You play White
Welcome to the Italian Game! This classic opening develops the bishop to c4, targeting Black's vulnerable f7 square. You'll learn to build a strong center and launch powerful attacks!
The lesson's route
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 · common moves, then the opponent chooses
- Main line 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 · 2 moves to play
- Giuoco Piano 3...Bc5 4.c3 · 1 move to play
- Two Knights Defense 3...Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 · 1 move to play
- Fried Liver Attack 4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 · 2 moves to play
- Traxler Counterattack 4...Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 · 2 moves to play
Frequently asked questions
Is the Italian Game good for beginners?
Yes, it is often the first opening recommended. The pieces go to natural squares, castling comes quickly, and the ideas (develop, aim at f7, prepare d4) apply everywhere. You only need to know the traps of the Two Knights Defense.
What is the difference between the Giuoco Piano and the Giuoco Pianissimo?
The Giuoco Piano, Italian for “quiet game”, is the position after 3...Bc5. The Giuoco Pianissimo is its slowest form: White plays d3 instead of pushing d4 at once, and the game turns on maneuvering. This is the version that brought the Italian back into fashion among grandmasters.
What is the Fried Liver Attack?
It is the sacrifice 6.Nxf7 in the Two Knights Defense, after 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5. After 6...Kxf7 7.Qf3+, the black king often has to step up to e6 to guard the d5 knight, and White attacks it with Nc3 and d4. Black avoids it with 5...Na5.
How do you play against the Two Knights Defense?
4.Ng5 attacks f7 and leads to sharp tactical play, where Black often gives a pawn with 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5. 4.d3 is calmer: it protects e4 and often reaches Giuoco Pianissimo positions after ...Bc5.
Italian Game or Ruy Lopez: which should I play?
Both start with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6. In the Italian, the c4 bishop aims straight at f7 and the game opens quickly. In the Ruy Lopez (3.Bb5), the bishop attacks the defender of e5: the pressure is slower and the theory deeper. The Italian is often learned first.