The Italian Game
One of the oldest and most natural openings in chess, teaching every beginner the art of rapid development.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Key moves: e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bc4
ECO Code: C50
Professor Archer says: If I could only recommend one opening to a student who is just beginning their chess journey, it would be the Italian Game without hesitation. Every move teaches a principle: control the center, develop your pieces, aim at a weakness. The bishop on c4 staring at f7 is perhaps the most instructive piece placement in all of opening theory. Once you truly understand why that bishop belongs on c4, you understand the fundamentals of chess.
What Is the Italian Game?
The Italian Game arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. It is one of the oldest recorded chess openings, with analysis dating back to the 16th century by Gioachino Greco, the Italian chess master who gave the opening its name.
The logic is beautifully simple. White's first three moves accomplish everything a good opening should: the e4 pawn controls the center, the knight on f3 develops toward the center and attacks e5, and the bishop on c4 goes to the most aggressive diagonal available, targeting the f7 square.
Why f7? Because at the start of the game, f7 is the weakest point in Black's position. It is defended only by the king. The bishop on c4 does not threaten to capture on f7 immediately, but its presence on that diagonal creates a persistent tension that influences Black's choices for the entire opening.
Key Moves and Ideas
After 3.Bc4, Black typically responds with either 3...Bc5 (the Giuoco Piano, meaning "quiet game" in Italian) or 3...Nf6 (the Two Knights Defense). Both are excellent choices but lead to very different types of games.
In the Giuoco Piano, both sides develop symmetrically and the game tends to revolve around the battle for the center. White aims to play d4 at the right moment, supported by c3 and pieces. Black responds with solid development, often including ...d6, ...Nf6, and castling.
In the Two Knights Defense, Black immediately counterattacks the e4 pawn, and the game becomes sharper. White can try the aggressive 4.Ng5, targeting f7 directly, which leads to wild tactical play after 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5.
The key strategic idea for White in both lines is the same: use the bishop on c4 and rapid development to create pressure on the kingside, then expand in the center with d4 when the timing is right.
The Italian Game after 3.Bc4. White's bishop targets the f7 pawn, the weakest point in Black's starting position.
Common Mistakes
- Rushing to attack f7 without preparation - Beginners often try to deliver Scholar's Mate (Qh5/Qf3 + Bc4) or play Ng5 prematurely. These crude attacks are easily refuted by a prepared opponent. Focus on completing development first, and the attacking chances will appear naturally.
- Forgetting to castle - With pieces aimed at the kingside, it is tempting to keep adding attackers. But leaving your own king in the center is dangerous. Castle early, connect your rooks, and then launch your attack from a position of safety.
- Moving the same piece twice in the opening - A common beginner error is retreating or repositioning pieces that are already developed. In the Italian Game, each piece should ideally move once to its best square. Develop new pieces rather than shuffling ones already in play.
Famous Games
Gioachino Greco's brilliancy games from the early 1600s are among the first recorded examples of the Italian Game in action. His attacking combinations demonstrated the power of rapid development and the vulnerability of f7, establishing patterns that players still use today.
Paul Morphy's Italian Game masterpieces from the 1850s remain the gold standard for attacking play. Morphy understood that development was not an end in itself but a means to create overwhelming force against a specific target. His games show how quickly a small lead in development can become a decisive attack.
In modern chess, the Italian Game has experienced a renaissance at the highest levels. Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana have both employed it in world championship matches, proving that this centuries-old opening remains a formidable weapon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Italian Game only for beginners?
Not at all. While it is an excellent first opening, the Italian Game is played at the very highest levels of chess. World champions past and present have used it successfully. It is easy to learn but offers enough depth to last a lifetime.
Should I play the Giuoco Piano or face the Two Knights?
As White after 3.Bc4, you do not choose — Black decides. If Black plays 3...Bc5, you are in the Giuoco Piano. If 3...Nf6, the Two Knights. You should be prepared for both, but the strategic ideas (development, center control, f7 pressure) remain consistent.
Professor Archer says: Paul Morphy played the Italian Game with a clarity and brilliance that still astonishes us more than 160 years later. He did not need computers or databases. He simply understood the power of rapid development and open lines better than anyone of his era. Study his Italian Game victories, and you will learn more about attacking chess than from any textbook.
Quick Quiz
What is the primary target of the bishop on c4 in the Italian Game?
- The pawn on e5 - The bishop on c4 does not attack the e5 pawn. That pawn is on a different diagonal entirely. The bishop's power comes from the a2-g8 diagonal.
- The f7 pawn, defended only by the king (Correct) - Correct. The bishop on c4 aims along the diagonal at f7, which is the weakest square in Black's starting position because only the king defends it. This pressure shapes the entire opening.
- The knight on c6 - The bishop on c4 does not target the c6 knight. That would be the idea behind 3.Bb5, the Ruy Lopez. The Italian Game bishop has a completely different target.
- The d5 square for a future pawn advance - While the bishop does influence d5, this is a secondary benefit. The primary reason for Bc4 is the pressure along the diagonal toward f7, creating tactical possibilities against the king.