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C50Play as White13 lines to train

Learn the Italian Game

Classic development with Bc4 targeting f7. Solid and principled.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5

1.e41…e52.Nf32…Nc63.Bc43…Bc54.c34…Nf65.d45…exd46.cxd46…Bb4+7.Bd27…Bxd2+8.Nbxd28…d59.exd5

The idea

Why this opening works

The Italian Game gives you rapid development, direct pressure on f7, and a clear plan to control the center with c3 + d4. It avoids the heavy theory of the Ruy Lopez while keeping all your pieces active. At club level, opponents regularly mishandle the resulting positions.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 8 positions

  1. Position 1 of 8

    1.e4

    e2 → e4

    Controls the center and opens lines for your bishop and queen. The most popular first move in chess.

  2. Position 2 of 8

    2.Nf3

    g1 → f3

    Develops the knight to its best square, attacks the e5 pawn, and prepares to castle kingside.

  3. Position 3 of 8

    3.Bc4

    f1 → c4

    The Italian bishop — aims directly at f7, Black's weakest square (only defended by the king). Sets up tactical threats early.

  4. Position 4 of 8

    4.c3

    c2 → c3

    Prepares d4 to build a strong pawn center. This is the Giuoco Piano ("Quiet Game") approach — methodical and powerful.

  5. Position 5 of 8

    5.d4

    d2 → d4

    Strikes at the center immediately. With c3 already played, you can recapture cxd4 and maintain a strong pawn duo on d4+e4.

  6. Position 6 of 8

    6.cxd4

    c3 → d4

    Recaptures toward the center, keeping pawns on d4+e4. This ideal pawn center gives you more space and piece activity.

  7. Position 7 of 8

    7.Bd2

    c1 → d2

    Blocks the check while developing the bishop. After the trade, you'll recapture with the knight and have a strong central position.

  8. Position 8 of 8

    8.Nbxd2

    b1 → d2

    Recaptures while developing the knight toward the center. Both knights are now active and your position is harmonious.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5
Line 21. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 O-O 9. O-O
Line 31. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nxe4 8. Bxb4
Line 41. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6 7. e5 d5 8. Bb5
Line 51. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6 7. e5 Ne4 8. Bd3
Line 61. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 Bb6 6. d5 Ne7 7. O-O Ng6 8. Bd3

Quick answers

Italian Game questions

What is the Italian Game?

Classic development with Bc4 targeting f7. Solid and principled. The Italian Game gives you rapid development, direct pressure on f7, and a clear plan to control the center with c3 + d4. It avoids the heavy theory of the Ruy Lopez while keeping all your pieces active. At club level, opponents regularly mishandle the resulting positions.

What is the main line of the Italian Game?

This trainer starts with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Italian Game good to learn as White?

Yes. Chess Trainer recommends it as best all-rounder for beginners. Start with the main line, then add one opponent branch at a time.

Study next

C60Ruy LopezOne of the oldest and most respected openings, pressuring the knight defending e5.1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3B20Sicilian Defense (Open)The most popular response to 1.e4. Asymmetric and combative.1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-OC00French DefenseA solid counter to 1.e4 with 1...e6, leading to strategic middlegames.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. f4 O-O 8. Nf3

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Italian Game from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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