Chess lessons › Chess openings
The Italian Game
A classic where both sides develop fast and White’s bishop eyes the weak f7.
The idea
Both sides develop fast, and White’s bishop aims at the weak f7.
- The bishop on c4 aims at f7.
- Only the black king guards f7, so it is a weak spot.
- White’s plan is c3 and then d4, for a big pawn centre.
In a game: A good first choice after e4 e5; when you face it as Black, watch f7.
The lesson
The Italian Game starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 and then 3.Bc4. White puts a bishop on the diagonal that points at f7, a square only the black king guards at the start, and aims for a strong pawn centre.
It is a favourite at club level. Of the Lichess games between players rated 1200 to 1599 that reached this position, White played 3.Bc4 in 43%.
Find the move
White to move. Bring your king’s bishop out to the square where it points at f7.
A hint
The bishop travels along the diagonal f1, e2, d3, c4. Which of those squares looks at f7?
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3. Bc4
Bc4 develops the bishop and aims it at f7 in one move. The engine counts it among the good moves here.
A question
Look at Black’s pawn on f7. Which Black piece defends it at this moment?
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The king on e8, and nothing else.
Right. Only the king guards f7, and a king cannot take a piece that is protected. If White can attack f7 a second time, the pawn is in trouble.
White’s usual plan is c3 and d4: build a big pawn centre, with pawns on d4 and e4, and attack Black’s bishop at the same time. Black fights back with ...d5. Watch one way it can go.
- 4. c3 The pawn prepares d4. With a pawn on c3, a pawn on d4 is supported.
- 4... Nf6 Black develops, and the knight attacks the pawn on e4.
- 5. d4 White strikes in the centre. The pawn attacks both the pawn on e5 and the bishop on c5.
- 5... exd4 6. cxd4 White has pawns on d4 and e4, and the pawn on d4 attacks the bishop.
- 6... Bb4+ The bishop escapes with check.
- 7. Bd2 White blocks the check.
- 7... Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 Black hits back in the centre. The engine thinks the position is level, so both plans work.
A question
White has just played 4.c3. What is the idea?
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To prepare d4, a second pawn in the centre.
Right. The pawn on c3 supports a pawn on d4. If Black takes on d4, cxd4 leaves White with pawns on d4 and e4, and the pawn on d4 attacks the bishop on c5.
There is a sharper way to reach the same centre: the Evans Gambit. White plays 4.b4, a pawn sacrifice. A gambit is an opening where you give up material, usually a pawn, to gain time.
If Black takes with the bishop, White plays c3 and the bishop has to move again, while d4 comes next.
- 4. b4 White offers the b-pawn.
- 4... Bxb4 Black takes. The bishop has now moved twice.
Find the move
White to move. Black has taken the pawn. Attack the bishop with the pawn that also prepares d4. After the bishop goes to a5, build your centre with a pawn move.
A hint
Play the pawn from c2 first. After ...Ba5, bring the pawn from d2 forward.
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5. c3 Ba5 6. d4
c3 attacks the bishop and makes room for d4. After the bishop has moved a third time, White has pawns on d4 and e4 for the pawn it gave. The engine thinks the position is level.
Find the move
Black to move. 3...Bc5 is not the only good reply. Develop your other knight, where it attacks the pawn on e4.
A hint
The knight on g8 goes to f6.
Show the answer
3... Nf6
Nf6 is the Two Knights Defence. It develops a piece and attacks e4 in one move. Among players rated 1200 to 1599 on Lichess, Black chose it in 32% of the games that reached this position, and 3...Bc5 in 30%. White’s sharpest reply, Ng5, comes up in the lesson Traps to know.
In numbers
How often it is played
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | 29 |
| 800 to 1199 | 64 |
| 1200 to 1599 | 60 |
| 1600 to 1999 | 38 |
| 2000 and up | 19 |
How the games ended
White won 50%, 4% were drawn and Black won 46%, over 88,030 games that start this way, in a sample of rated Lichess games from 2026.