Giuoco Piano
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4
The 'quiet game' that becomes very sharp after 5.d4. White builds a big center; Black counters with ...exd4 and piece play.
For White· ECO C50–C59· beginner
Italian Game
The fastest-developing 1.e4 opening. Aim the bishop at f7 and play for the attack.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
What is the Italian Game?
The Italian Game dates to the 16th century and remains one of the most popular 1.e4 openings at every level. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, White develops rapidly, aims the bishop at f7 (Black's weakest square), and plans either quick d4 to open the center or slower c3+d4 (Giuoco Piano) for a classical attack. Theory load is lower than the Ruy Lopez, which is why it's the go-to choice for club players under 2000, but it's been used by Carlsen in World Championship games, proving it scales to the highest level.
Main variations
Each variation below comes with a diagram and the main plan. Click "Train this opening" to drill every line with spaced repetition.
Two Knights Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 3...Nf6 4.Ng5
The sharp Fried Liver territory. White attacks f7 immediately, leading to wild tactical complications.
Evans Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 3...Bc5 4.b4
White sacrifices a b-pawn for rapid development and a crushing center. Revived by Kasparov at the top level.
Italian Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 3...Bc5 4.d4
Immediate center break. After 4...exd4 5.O-O, White plays for rapid attack on the f-file and e-file.
Common traps
Watch the trap unfold on the board, or step through move by move. These are patterns you can punish in your own games.
Blackburne Shilling Gambit
Blackburne's famous tavern trap. If White greedily grabs e5 with 4.Nxe5??, Black's queen sortie wins the knight, picks off e4, and delivers a smothered mate on f3. White's safe reply is 4.Nxd4 exd4 5.c3, keeping a solid extra central pawn.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?! 4.Nxe5?? Qg5! 5.Nxf7 Qxg2 6.Rf1 Qxe4+ 7.Be2 Nf3#
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Start position
How deep should you study this?
Below 1200
Stick to the Giuoco Piano (3...Bc5 4.c3). Focus on developing, castling, and timing d4 when Black isn't ready.
1200–1600
Learn the Two Knights Defense carefully, Fried Liver Attack (4.Ng5) is your attacking weapon against 3...Nf6.
1600+
Add the Evans Gambit to your arsenal. It scores very well at club level and Kasparov revived it at the top.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Italian Game good for beginners?
Yes, one of the best openings for beginners. Development is natural, tactics are frequent, and the theory load is manageable. Most top-level players learned the Italian Game first before moving to the Ruy Lopez.
What is the difference between the Italian Game and the Giuoco Piano?
The Italian Game refers to any line after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 (including 3...Nf6 Two Knights). The Giuoco Piano is specifically 3...Bc5, the 'quiet game'. All Giuoco Pianos are Italian Games; not all Italian Games are Giuoco Pianos.
Italian Game vs Ruy Lopez: which is better?
Italian is better under 2000 (lower theory, clearer attacks). Ruy Lopez is better at 2000+ (strategic depth, higher ceiling). For most club players, the Italian gives faster returns with less study time.
What's the deal with the Fried Liver Attack?
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? (a mistake, better is 5...Na5), White plays 6.Nxf7!! Kxf7 7.Qf3+ winning the piece back with a devastating attack. It's a classic attacking pattern every Italian Game player should know.
Is the Italian Game played at the top level?
Yes. Nepomniachtchi played the Giuoco Pianissimo against Carlsen in Game 11 of the 2021 World Championship. The modern Italian with slow setups (d3, Nbd2, a4) has become a real World Championship weapon.
Related openings
For White
Ruy Lopez
The king of 1.e4 openings. Deep theory, long-term pressure, grandmaster-tested.
For White
Scotch Game
The center-breaking alternative to the Italian. Kasparov's weapon against Karpov.
For White
Fried Liver Attack
The most famous attacking line in chess. A knight sacrifice for a devastating king hunt.
Deep dive
Read our full Italian Game guide →
Ready to train the Italian Game?
Every variation above is a drill on ChessAtlas. Spaced repetition schedules each move so you never forget a line again. Free to start — no credit card.