The Italian Game
One of the oldest and most natural openings in chess, built on rapid development and central control.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The Italian Game was the first opening I ever studied, and I think it is the perfect starting point for any new player. It teaches you everything you need to know about good opening play: develop your pieces quickly, control the center, and aim at a target. The target here is f7, the square next to Black's king, defended only by the king itself. When I teach beginners, I always start here because the logic is so clear and natural.
The Opening Moves
The Italian Game begins with three natural moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. Each move serves a clear purpose, and understanding these purposes is the foundation of good opening play.
1.e4 places a pawn in the center, controlling the d5 and f5 squares, and opens lines for the queen and the f1-bishop. 1...e5 does the same for Black, staking a claim in the center and opening lines for Black's pieces.
2.Nf3 develops a knight to its most natural square, attacking the e5 pawn and preparing to castle kingside. 2...Nc6 defends the e5 pawn with a piece (always preferable to defending with another pawn when possible) and develops toward the center.
3.Bc4 is the defining move of the Italian Game. The bishop goes to c4, an aggressive diagonal that points directly at f7 — the weakest square in Black's starting position, because only the king defends it. This is not an immediate threat, but it creates long-term pressure and sets the stage for tactical ideas involving the f7 square.
These three moves embody every opening principle a beginner needs to learn: control the center, develop pieces toward active squares, and prepare to castle for king safety.
The Giuoco Piano and the Two Knights
After 3.Bc4, Black has several good responses, and the two most important ones define the character of the game going forward.
If Black plays 3...Bc5, we reach the Giuoco Piano (Italian for "quiet game," though it is anything but quiet in many variations). Both bishops are aimed at the center, and both sides will focus on rapid development and castling. The position is balanced but rich in tactical possibilities.
If Black plays 3...Nf6, we enter the Two Knights Defence, a sharper and more combative choice. Black immediately counterattacks the e4 pawn rather than simply developing. White often responds with 4.Ng5, directly targeting f7 with both the knight and the bishop. This leads to sharp, tactical play that requires precise knowledge from both sides.
For beginners, I recommend starting with the Giuoco Piano lines (after 3...Bc5) because the positions are easier to understand and the plans are more intuitive. As you gain confidence, exploring the Two Knights will add depth to your repertoire and sharpen your tactical skills.
Both lines share the same fundamental idea: White wants to use the bishop on c4 and rapid development to create pressure against Black's kingside, while Black seeks to equalise through active piece play and sound development.
The Giuoco Piano after 3...Bc5. Both sides have developed actively with natural moves.
Key Plans for White
Understanding the plans behind an opening is more important than memorising moves. In the Italian Game, White has several strategic goals to pursue after completing basic development.
The first priority is to castle kingside. After developing the knight to f3 and the bishop to c4, castling (0-0) tucks the king away safely and connects the rooks. King safety should always come before aggressive action.
The second goal is to build a strong center. White often plays d3 first (a solid approach), then looks to expand with c3 and d4 when the timing is right. The pawn push d2-d4 is the key central break, opening the position and activating the pieces. The preparatory move c3 supports d4 and also gives the bishop a retreat square on c2.
The third goal is to create attacking chances against the black king. With the bishop on c4 (or b3 after a retreat) and pieces aimed at the kingside, White can look for tactical opportunities involving sacrifices on f7, discovered attacks, or pawn advances like f4 to open the f-file.
These plans are interconnected. Sound development enables central expansion, and central expansion creates the conditions for a kingside attack. When you play the Italian Game, think of it as a three-phase recipe: develop, expand, attack.
Questions About the Italian Game
Is the Italian Game good for beginners?
The Italian Game is one of the best openings for beginners because it reinforces fundamental principles: central control, piece development, and king safety. The ideas are logical and intuitive, and the resulting positions teach good chess habits. Many coaches recommend it as the first opening to learn.
What is the difference between the Italian Game and the Ruy Lopez?
Both begin with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, but diverge on move three. In the Italian Game, the bishop goes to c4, targeting f7. In the Ruy Lopez, the bishop goes to b5, putting pressure on the knight that defends the e5 pawn. The Italian is generally considered more straightforward; the Ruy Lopez is more strategic and complex.
Can Black equalise against the Italian Game?
Yes. With accurate play, Black can achieve a fully equal position in the Italian Game. Both the Giuoco Piano and the Two Knights Defence offer Black solid paths to equality. The Italian is not a refutation of Black's setup; it is a sound opening that gives White a slight initiative from natural development.
Professor Archer says: Do not let the "beginner-friendly" label fool you. The Italian Game is played at the very highest levels of chess, including by world champions. Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana have both used it in world championship matches. It is easy to learn, difficult to master, and rewarding at every level. Start with it, grow with it, and it will serve you for a lifetime.
Quick Quiz
What is the main strategic idea behind 3.Bc4 in the Italian Game?
- To pin the knight on c6 - The bishop on c4 does not pin the c6 knight. That would be 3.Bb5, which is the Ruy Lopez. The bishop on c4 aims at a different target entirely.
- To target the f7 square, Black's weakest point (Correct) - Correct. The bishop on c4 aims along the a2-g8 diagonal at f7, which is defended only by the black king at the start of the game. This creates long-term pressure and tactical possibilities.
- To prepare an immediate checkmate - There is no immediate checkmate threat. The bishop on c4 creates pressure on f7 that may lead to tactical opportunities later, but checkmate requires many more moves and careful preparation.
- To control the d5 square - While the bishop on c4 does influence d5, this is not its primary purpose. The e4 pawn and the knight on f3 already contribute to d5 control. The bishop's main role on c4 is the pressure along the diagonal toward f7.