Moving the queen out early
Early Qe2 or Qb3 can work, but chasing f7 with the queen alone is easy to refute.
Opening guide · White, 1.e4 e5
How to play the Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
The Italian Game, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, aims the bishop at f7, the weakest square in Black’s camp. It leads to open positions with quick development, and its gambits are some of the best ways to learn attacking chess.
- Lines to play
- 2
- Traps
- 2
- Quiz positions
- 5
Learn the Italian Game move by move
You play White. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Pressure on f7
- Bishop on c4, knight ready for g5: many Italian lines are about the f7-square, defended only by the king early on.
c3 and d4
- The classical plan builds a pawn centre with c3 and d4. If Black takes on d4, White gets open lines and quick development.
Gambits with a purpose
- The Evans Gambit (4.b4) gives a pawn to gain time for c3 and d4. Each gambit pawn buys tempi; spend them on development, not on grabbing material back.
Know the Two Knights
- Against 3...Nf6, White chooses between the sharp 4.Ng5 and the central 4.d4.
The main lines
Giuoco Piano with c3 and d4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.O-O
White builds the centre and castles into the open lines.
Evans Gambit: 4.b4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4
A pawn for time: c3 and d4 come with tempo on the bishop.
Two Knights: 4.Ng5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6
White attacks f7 at once; 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 is Black’s main answer.
Two Knights: 4.d4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Ne4
The central strike, with e5 to chase the knight.
These lines come from the other courses: step through them with the comments.
A pawn for time: c3 and d4 come with tempo on the bishop.
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Step through the line with the arrows.
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Traps to know
Short tactical shots that come out of these moves. More in the chess traps collection.
White gives up the queen and mates with three minor pieces.
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Step through the line with the arrows.
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Find the move
5 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 5
1.e4 e5
The ideaDevelop with an attack on e5.
Find the move for White.
Common mistakes
Taking every pawn back
In the gambits, development matters more than material. Castle and bring the rooks before recovering pawns.
Allowing ...d5 for free
If Black plays ...d5 with a lead in development, the Italian bishop becomes a target. Keep e4 supported.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Italian Game?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each White move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Buccaneer 1.e4 teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Italian Game good for beginners?
Yes. It follows the basic principles: control the centre, develop, castle. Its open positions also teach tactics.
What is the difference between the Italian Game and the Giuoco Piano?
The Italian Game is 3.Bc4 in general. The Giuoco Piano is the line with 3...Bc5, often followed by c3 and d4.
What is the Fried Liver Attack?
A sharp Two Knights line, 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5?! 6.Nxf7, where White sacrifices a knight to drag the black king out. See the Fried Liver guide.
Learn every line of the Italian Game
The Buccaneer 1.e4 teaches it as a repertoire: 100 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
Also covered in The Evans Express 1.e4.
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