Italian Game
The Italian Game begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, putting the bishop on the diagonal toward f7 and preparing quick castling. White wants a compact center with c3 and d3 or d4, while Black develops with ...Bc5 or ...Nf6 and keeps the e5 pawn firm.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
- ECO
- C50
- Engine
- +0.18 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 206,003 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Build a slow center with c3 and d3, castle, and prepare d4 only when e4 is well protected.
- Use the c4 bishop against f7. Ng5 ideas appear whenever Black's king or f7 is loose.
- Gain queenside space with a4 or b4 to push back a bishop on c5 or b6.
- Reroute the b1 knight through d2 and f1 to g3, adding force to the kingside.
Black
- Develop the bishop with ...Bc5, the engine's top choice, and follow with ...Nf6, ...d6 and ...O-O.
- Answer a slow c3 and d3 with ...a5, as in the engine line, gaining space and keeping the bishop safe.
- Use ...Nf6 to attack e4 and ask White to commit before castling.
- Avoid dubious tries such as 3...Nd4 and 3...f5; the engine gives White a clear edge against both.
Plans and pawn structure
In the main lines both sides play slowly. White places pawns on c3 and d3, castles, plays Re1 and h3, and brings the b1 knight to g3. Black mirrors with ...Bc5, ...d6, ...a5 and ...O-O, and keeps the bishop on a7 or b6 out of reach. White's main break is d4; Black's are ...d5 and ...f5. In the sharper c3 and d4 lines the center opens early and piece activity decides.
Where the engine's main line heads: Quiet center: c3–d3–e4 against e5. A slow center: White has c3, d3 and e4 against e5. Nobody is in a hurry, and the d3–d4 break decides when the game opens.
What the Italian Game is about
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 White's bishop sits on the diagonal toward f7, the square that only Black's king defends. White can castle on the next move and decide later whether to play for a slow center with c3 and d3 or an open game with d4. Black usually answers with 3...Bc5, the Giuoco Piano, or 3...Nf6, the Two Knights Defense.
This is one of the most played positions in chess: 206003 games on lichess, with White scoring 52%. The engine's top replies for Black are 3...Bc5 and 3...Nf6, both leading to a small edge for White, and the main lines are slow, flexible and full of maneuvering.
The main variations
The Giuoco Pianissimo, 4.d3, is the most played system. White keeps the center closed and builds slowly with c3, O-O and Re1. Results are close to even, with White at 50.7%.
The Classical Variation, 4.c3, prepares d4. White can still choose a slow d3 setup, or go for the open center with d4. The engine's top line for Black, 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a5 6.O-O d6 7.h3, shows the quiet version.
The Giuoco Piano, 3...Bc5, is the parent of both lines above. Black develops the bishop to c5, eyeing f2, and keeps a symmetrical position with no weak pawns.
The Anti-Fried Liver Defense, 3...h6, stops Ng5 at once. It is very popular online but slow, and the engine gives White a pleasant edge after quick development and d4.
The Paris Defense, 3...d6, and the Hungarian Defense, 3...Be7, are passive. White can open the center with d4, as in the engine line 3...Be7 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 d6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5.
The Blackburne-Kostic Gambit, 3...Nd4, is a trap line. If White grabs with Nxe5, the Blackburne Shilling trap can end in mate on f3. A calm reply such as Nxd4 or O-O leaves White clearly better.
Typical plans for White
In the slow lines White plays c3, d3, O-O, Re1 and h3, then reroutes the b1 knight through d2 and f1 to g3. This brings an extra piece toward the kingside. White can also gain space with a4 or b4 against a bishop on c5. The main break is d4, prepared so that e4 stays protected.
- Use Bg5 to pin the f6 knight when Black castles before ...h6.
- Retreat the bishop from c4 to b3 or a2 if Black threatens ...Na5 or ...d5 with tempo.
- In the open d4 lines, develop fast and aim the pieces at f7 and the e-file.
Typical plans for Black
Black mirrors White's setup. After ...Bc5 and ...Nf6, Black plays ...d6, ...a5 and ...O-O. The pawn on a5 gives the bishop a safe retreat on a7 and stops White's b4. The move ...h6 takes g5 away from White's knight and bishop.
- The ...d5 break frees Black's game when White is slow.
- A knight jump to e7 and g6 adds defense to the kingside and supports ...f5 later.
- Against an early d4, take on d4 and hit e4 with ...Nf6, or keep the bishop check ...Bb4+ in mind.
Mistakes club players make
- Taking on e5 after 3...Nd4. Nxe5 allows ...Qg5 and the Blackburne Shilling trap. Just develop and keep your extra tempo.
- Black playing 3...f5. The Rousseau Gambit opens lines toward Black's own king; the engine gives White a big edge.
- White sacrificing on f7 too early. The Jerome Gambit, 4.Bxf7+, gives up a bishop for very little; the engine shows a clear edge for Black.
- Ignoring Ng5. If Black castles and allows Ng5 with pieces aimed at f7 and h7, simple attacks win games.
- Pushing d4 too early. Without c3 and castling, the center can collapse and leave e4 weak.
Who should play it
The Italian suits players at every level. Beginners learn quick development and pressure on f7; stronger players use the slow c3 and d3 systems for long maneuvering games. For Black, 3...Bc5 is the safest reply, while 3...Nf6 invites sharper play.
If you want short tactical games, the open lines with d4 and the Evans Gambit with 4.b4 fit well. If you want positional games, stick to the Pianissimo structures.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.18: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.18 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a5 6.O-O
- +0.19 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 a5 6.O-O
- +0.35 3...Be7 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 d6 6.Nxc6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
206,003 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Traps and pitfalls
Blackburne Shilling Gambit trap (Black sets it)
Black leaves e5 hanging with 3...Nd4 and answers 4.Nxe5 with 4...Qg5, attacking the knight and g2. If White grabs f7 with 5.Nxf7, the queen wins the h1 rook and the game ends with a smothered knight mate on f3.
Variations of the Italian Game
- Two Knights Defense3...Nf6 · 46,090 games
- Anti-Fried Liver Defense3...h6 · 26,825 games
- Giuoco Piano3...Bc5 · 17,640 games
- Paris Defense3...d6 · 15,990 games
- Blackburne-Kostić Gambit3...Nd4 · 7,677 games
- Rousseau Gambit3...f5 · 6,370 games
- Hungarian Defense3...Be7 · 4,621 games
- Giuoco Piano, Therkatz-Herzog Variation3...Bc5 · rare
- Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Berger Variation3...Nf6 · rare
- Hungarian Defense, Tartakower Variation3...Be7 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, choose 3...Bc5 or 3...Nf6 and know one plan against c3 and d3. Avoid 3...Nd4 and 3...f5; they score well against beginners but the engine gives White a large edge. Against the slow Italian, play ...a5, ...d6 and ...h6 to stop Ng5 and Bg5 ideas.
Full guide: how to beat the Italian Game
Questions
What are the moves of the Italian Game?
The Italian Game starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. Its ECO code is C50.
Is the Italian Game good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.18 at depth 20, which is level. In 206,003 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.0%. A natural first opening for club players that rewards understanding of plans over memorized theory.
What is the main idea of the Italian Game?
White develops the bishop to c4, aims at f7 and prepares a center with c3 and d3 or d4. Black develops with ...Bc5 or ...Nf6, holds e5 and looks for ...d5 or ...f5 later.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bc5, with Nf6 and Be7 close behind. 3...Bc5 develops actively, mirrors the c4 bishop and leaves Black's structure flexible.
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.