What is the Italian Game?
After e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6, White plays Bc4. The bishop aims at f7, a square only the black king defends. The plan is simple: develop, castle and fight for the center.
History
Italian masters of the 16th and 17th centuries, such as Giulio Cesare Polerio and Gioachino Greco, studied it. That is where the name comes from. In recent years many top players came back to it to avoid the Berlin Defense of the Ruy Lopez.
Key ideas
For White
- Aim at f7 with the bishop, sometimes with a knight on g5.
- Prepare the d-pawn push with the c-pawn to build a big center.
- Or play slowly, with the d-pawn on d3 and a long maneuvering game.
For Black
- Develop the bishop to c5, or attack e4 with the king's knight.
- Keep the e5 pawn strong and castle quickly.
Main replies for Black
- Bc5 Giuoco Piano. The classical reply. White can play slowly or try the Evans Gambit.
- Nf6 Two Knights Defense. Sharper. White can attack f7 at once with Ng5.
- Be7 Hungarian Defense. Solid but passive.
- f5 Rousseau Gambit. A risky counterattack on e4.