Italian Game: the classic chess opening explained
The Italian Game starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4: White develops quickly and aims the bishop at f7, the weakest square near Black’s king. It is one of the oldest openings, analysed by Italian masters as early as the 16th century, and it is played at every level today.
It follows the opening principles to the letter, which makes it a perfect first opening to learn.
The main line
Both sides develop, fight for the centre and castle. After 3…Bc5, the Giuoco Piano, the most common plan today is quiet: c3 and d3, a solid centre and a slow build-up, called the Giuoco Pianissimo, “the very quiet game”.
The Two Knights and the Fried Liver
If Black plays 3…Nf6 instead of 3…Bc5 (the Two Knights Defence), White can go for f7 at once with 4.Ng5. The natural reply then loses: after 5…Nxd5? White gives up a knight on f7 and drags the king into the middle of the board. This attack is called the Fried Liver.
Plans to remember
- White often plays c3 and d4 to take the whole centre, or c3, d3 and a slow knight trip Nbd2–f1–g3 towards the kingside.
- Black develops quickly and strikes back with …d5 when it is safe, to free the position.
- Both sides keep an eye on f7 and f2: the bishops on c4 and c5 aim straight at them.
Exercise: avoid the Fried Liver
Black to move. Find the best move, and do not take back on d5 with the knight.
Make the move on the board: drag a piece, or click it and then a square.
Solved!
5…Na5! attacks the bishop on c4 and drives it away or trades it, and Black gets active pieces for the pawn. The sharp 5…b5 and 5…Nd4 are playable but weaker; 5…Nxd5? runs into 6.Nxf7.
Key points
- The Italian Game: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, with the bishop aimed at f7.
- After 3…Bc5 the modern main line is calm: c3, d3, castling and a slow build-up.
- After 3…Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5, play 5…Na5, not 5…Nxd5?, which runs into the Fried Liver.