Italian Game
Also known as Giuoco Piano
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
One of the oldest openings in chess, the Italian aims White's bishop straight at f7 - the square only the king defends. It is welcoming and natural: pieces develop toward the centre, the king castles early, and both sides get a fair, fighting game. Beginners love its clear plans; masters still trust its deep ideas.
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
Use Play, the arrows, or click a move to step through.
What it does
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, White develops the bishop to its most active diagonal, where it bears down on f7. Black usually replies symmetrically with 3...Bc5 (the Giuoco Piano) or counter-attacks with 3...Nf6 (the Two Knights). White's classical plan is to build a pawn centre with c3 and d4. In the popular modern treatment, White plays d3 first (the Giuoco Pianissimo), keeping a flexible structure and manoeuvring the pieces before striking in the centre or on the kingside.
When to use it
Choose the Italian when you want an open, principled game against 1...e5 and prefer clear development to memorising sharp theory. It is ideal for improving players learning to mobilise pieces, control the centre and castle safely. It suits anyone who enjoys a rich strategic battle: keep it calm with the Pianissimo, or aim for a classical centre with an early c3 and d4 if your opponent invites tactics.
Why it works
The move 3.Bc4 develops a piece, helps White castle quickly, and targets f7 - all at once, fulfilling the opening principles perfectly. Because the structure stays flexible, White can choose the pace: slow manoeuvring or a central break with d4. The pressure on f7 creates lasting tactical chances, while the sound pawn skeleton means White rarely gets into trouble. This blend of safety and bite is why the Italian has thrived for centuries and still appears at the very top.
Key ideas
- Aim the c4-bishop and the f3-knight at the weak f7 square.
- Prepare the d4 break with c3 to build a classical centre.
- Castle early and shelter the king before opening lines.
- In the Pianissimo, reroute the knight via d2-f1-g3 and tuck the bishop on c2.
- Watch for tactics on the a2-g8 diagonal once Black's king is committed.
- Keep the structure flexible - choose calm play or a central pawn break to suit the position.
Watch out
Beware the Fried Liver and related ideas in the Two Knights (3...Nf6): after 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5, the greedy 5...Nxd5 lets White sacrifice with 6.Nxf7, dragging Black's king out. As White, know this attack; as Black, prefer the solid 5...Na5. Equally, do not grab the e5-pawn too early and fall behind in development.