Italian Game


The Italian Game is a family of chess openings beginning with the moves:
This opening is defined by the of the white bishop to active square c4, where it attacks Black's pawn on f7, protected only by the king. Black usually responds with 3...Bc5 or 3...Nf6, both very popular.
The Italian Game is one of the oldest recorded chess openings. It occurs in the Göttingen manuscript and was developed by players such as Damiano and Polerio in the 16th century, and later by Greco in 1620, who gave the game its main line. It has been extensively analyzed for more than 300 years.
The term Italian Game is sometimes used interchangeably with Giuoco Piano, although the latter typically refers specifically to play after 3...Bc5.
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings gives the Italian Game ten codes: C50–C54 for the Giuoco Piano, and C55–C59 for the Two Knights Defense. Side lines are covered under C50.

Giuoco Piano: 3...Bc5

Until the 19th century, this line was the main line of the Italian Game. Dubbed the Giuoco Piano in contrast to the more aggressive lines then being developed, this continues 4.d3, the positional Giuoco Pianissimo, or the main line 4.c3 leading to positions first analyzed by Greco in the 17th century, and revitalized at the turn of the 20th by the Moller Attack. 4.0-0 will usually transpose into the Giuoco Pianissimo after 4...Nf6 5.d3, while 4.Nc3 Nf6 is a into the Four Knights Game.
Another option for White is the aggressive Evans Gambit, a popular opening in the 19th century which is still occasionally played. The Italian Gambit may transpose into the Scotch Gambit after 4...exd4; however, this move order allows Black the option of 4...Bxd4, so if White wants a Scotch Gambit, 3.d4 is usually preferred. The Jerome Gambit is unsound.

Two Knights Defense: 3...Nf6

3...Nf6 is a more aggressive option for Black. It is more in the nature of a counterattack, and some have proposed it be renamed so.
If White attempts to exploit the weakness of Black's f7-pawn with 4.Ng5, Black may try the knife-edged Traxler/Wilkes-Barre Variation. After the more common 4...d5 5.exd5, Black generally avoids 5...Nxd5 allowing 6.Nxf7, the Fegatello or Fried Liver Attack, or 6.d4, the Lolli Variation, both of which are difficult to defend under practical conditions. Most common is 5...Na5, sacrificing a pawn for an active position. The very sharp Fritz Variation and the closely related Ulvestad Variation lead to wild positions with little margin for error for either side.
A option for White is 4.d3, when Black's main options are 4...Bc5, transposing into the Giuoco Pianissimo, and the solid 4...Be7, which is likely to lead to similar positions to the Bishop's Opening, or 4...h6 or the risky 4...d5. Alternatively, White can play 4.d4, which may lead to the Scotch Gambit after the usual reply 4...exd4.

Uncommon 3rd moves for Black

  • 3...Be7. A solid, drawish defense which is occasionally seen in tournament play to avoid the complexities and risks of the other lines.
  • 3...d6. Another solid positional line, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but rarely seen today. Transposition to the Hungarian Defense or Scotch Game is common. The main independent lines begin 4.d4 Bg4 and 4.c3. 4.c3 f5 is a delayed Rousseau Gambit.
  • 3...g6. This allows White to attack with 4.d4 4...exd4 5.c3 5...dxc3 6.Nxc3 Bg7 and now 7.Qb3 or 7.Bg5.
  • 3...Nd4. This ostensibly weak third move is a false gambit expectant upon White falling into the trap of capturing Black's undefended pawn. While generally considered time-wasting against more experienced players due to 4.Nxd4! exd4 5.c3, it has ensnared many chess novices and can provide a quick and easy mate against players unfamiliar with the line.
  • 3...f5. White does best to avoid the pawn offer with 4.d3 or 4.d4.
  • 3...Qf6. After 3...Qf6?! 4.Nc3 Nge7 5.Nb5 White has a clear advantage.
  • 3...h6. Neglects Black's and is generally considered a waste of time; however, the move has no immediate refutation and has been tried by Czech grandmaster Pavel Blatny.