ChessLab Academy
Italian Game (C50)
Italian Game is an opening for White. Level: Beginner. Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O O-O.
Learn it with the spoken coachPractise it from memoryThe main line, move by move
- 1. e4: White takes the centre with the king's pawn.
- 1… e5: Black does the same.
- 2. Nf3: The knight develops towards the centre and attacks the pawn on e5.
- 2… Nc6: Black defends e5 with a knight.
- 3. Bc4: The bishop goes to an active diagonal, aiming at f7, the weakest point next to the black king.
- 3… Bc5: Black copies the idea: the bishop aims at f2.
- 4. c3: White prepares d4 to build a big pawn centre.
- 4… Nf6: Black develops and attacks the e4 pawn.
- 5. d3: White calmly defends e4. This slow version is popular at every level.
- 5… d6: Black supports e5 and opens a path for the light-squared bishop.
- 6. O-O: White castles: the king is safe and the rook can join the game.
- 6… O-O: Black castles too. Both sides have a solid, healthy position.
Ideas for White
Develop quickly, aim the bishop at f7, then prepare d4 with c3, or build slowly with d3, Re1 and a knight trip to g3.
Ideas for Black
Develop the same way, keep the e5 pawn, and keep the c5 bishop safe from d4 by retreating it to b6 or a7 when needed.
Typical plans
- White: c3 and d4 to take the centre.
- White: Re1, h3, Nbd2-f1-g3 for a slow kingside build-up.
- Black: ...a6 and ...Ba7 to keep the bishop, then ...Be6 to trade White's strong bishop.
Common mistakes
- Attacking early with only one or two pieces (for example Ng5 before you have castled).
- Forgetting that f7 and f2 are weak until each side castles.
- Black playing ...h6 and ...g5 early, which loosens the king.
Variations
Giuoco Piano (3...Bc5), Two Knights Defence (3...Nf6), Evans Gambit (4.b4).
Traps in this opening
Quick check
In the Italian Game, why does White's bishop go to c4?
Answer: It aims at f7, the weak square next to the black king. Until Black castles, f7 is defended only by the king, so a bishop on c4 puts early pressure on it.