White · 1.e4 e5
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
The first opening worth learning as White: pieces out, bishop on f7, and a plan you can still remember with five minutes on the clock.
What it is
The bishop goes to c4 and looks at f7, the weakest point in Black’s camp before they castle. You occupy the centre, develop toward it, and castle. That is the whole opening in one sentence. Everything after that is a choice about how fast you want to open the position.
How to play it
- 1.e4, then 2.Nf3 attacking e5. If they defend with 2...Nc6, 3.Bc4.
- Castle kingside. Do not start a combination with the king in the centre.
- Play c3 and d3, or a prepared d4. The Italian is a developing opening, not a race to blow the centre on move six.
- If Black plays 3...Nf6, you are in the Two Knights. Know one answer to 4.Ng5 — and do not take on d5 with the knight if you are Black.
Main variations
Giuoco Piano
3...Bc5 4.c3
The quiet game. White prepares d4 with c3. You get a classical centre if Black allows it, and a slow Italian if they do not. This is the line to learn first.
Giuoco Pianissimo
3...Bc5 4.d3
Even quieter. Both sides develop, castle, and manoeuvre. Club games are often decided here by who still has time on move twenty, not by a novelty on move eight.
Evans Gambit
3...Bc5 4.b4
White gives a pawn for tempi and an open queenside. Fun, and a leak if you do not know what you are sacrificing for. Play it in rapid after you can play the Piano in your sleep.
Two Knights Defense
3...Nf6
Black attacks e4 instead of copying the bishop. White can play 4.d3, 4.Ng5, or 4.Nc3. 4.Ng5 is the sharp one. If you play it, know 5...Na5. If you face it, do not recapture on d5 with the knight.
Fried Liver Attack
4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5
5...Nxd5 is the recapture that loses club games by the thousand. White’s knight and bishop crash through on f7. As Black, 5...Na5 is the move. As White, this is a weapon only until people stop taking with the knight.
Strengths and costs
Why play it
- Every early move has a reason you can say out loud.
- You castle quickly and the king is usually safe.
- The same ideas work against a lot of Black setups.
- Natural next step is the Ruy Lopez when you want more.
What you give up
- Black equalises comfortably with accurate play.
- The Two Knights can turn sharp whether you wanted that or not.
- A well-prepared opponent will not hang f7.
Common mistakes
d4 before you are ready
Opening the centre with the king uncastled and the c-pawn not supporting d4 is how Italian games go sideways. Prepare it or play d3.
Leaving the king in the centre
The bishop on c4 is an attacking piece. It is not a reason to skip castling.
Ignoring ...Na5 or ...Nd4
Black will hit the bishop. Have a square for it (b3, or take on f7 only when it is actually sound).
Moving the bishop three times
c4 to b5 to a4 while Black develops is how you fall behind in an open position.
Related openings
FAQ
Italian Game or Ruy Lopez?
Italian first. Same first two moves; 3.Bc4 is simpler than 3.Bb5. Move to the Ruy when the Italian feels small, not when you lost one game in it.
What do I play against 3...Nf6?
4.d3 is the honest club move. 4.Ng5 is fine if you have seen 5...Na5. 4.Nc3 walks into the fork trick (4...Nxe4) if you have not seen that once.
Is the Evans Gambit sound?
Sound enough for rapid. Not a repertoire by itself. Learn the Piano, then add 4.b4 as a surprise, not as your only idea.