Italian Game
The Italian Game is an open king-pawn opening in which White develops the king bishop toward f7. The bishop targets f7 while White develops and prepares the center. Quiet setups with d3 and sharper lines with an early d4 require different plans and responses to Black's development.
Opening moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4
White’s plan
Develop your pieces, secure your king and support e4. In a quiet center, c3 can prepare d4 when your pieces are ready.
Black’s plan
Develop with Bc5 or Nf6, secure the king and prepare a central d5 break. Check threats against f7 before taking pawns.
Ideas behind the moves
e4
Claim central space and open the diagonal for the king bishop.
Nf3
Develop with a threat against e5, so Black must account for the center.
Bc4
Develop toward Black’s f7 pawn while keeping the d-pawn flexible.
Three mistakes to watch for
- Attacking f7 with the queen while the other pieces remain undeveloped.
- Playing d4 before checking whether e4 and the king are safe.
- Assuming a sacrifice works because a trap exists in a different position.
An example practice line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O
This is one study continuation. Your opponent can choose other replies; learn the plan as well as the moves.
A tactical example
Légal Trap: Punish the queen grab
Black takes the queen with ...Bxd1 and leaves the king exposed. Bxf7+ forces the king to e7; Nd5 delivers mate. This result depends on the queen grab, not on the gambit alone.
This trap depends on a specific opponent mistake. It is not a guaranteed win from the opening.
Variations to explore
Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Bb3 Ba7 9. h3
Practice this line →Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Berger Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 Qd5 10. Nc3 Qf5 11. g4 Qg6 12. Nce4 Bb6 13. f4 O-O-O
Practice this line →Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d6 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb3 Na5 12. Bxf7+ Kf8 13. Qc2
Practice this line →Hungarian Defense, Tartakower Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. d4 exd4 5. c3 Nf6 6. e5 Ne4
Practice this line →
Common questions
What is Italian Game?
Italian Game is a chess opening. One standard move order is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4.
How can I practice this opening?
Start with the main line and its explanations, recall it on the board, then add opponent replies and review the positions you found difficult.
Related openings
Content sources
- Opening names and routes use the Lichess opening database, released under CC0. Lichess chess-openings · CC0
- Position scores are prepared with Stockfish 18. They describe the recorded position, not your rating or a guaranteed result. Stockfish
- Move explanations and practice plans are prepared for this trainer. Translated lesson text is a draft and may need editorial corrections.