Italian Game
A calm, solid plan for White: build the center, castle, then increase the pressure step by step.
Basics: the first moves of the Italian Game
Develop quickly and aim at f7. These three moves start every Italian game.
- The first three moves: center, knight and bishop3 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
If Black puts the bishop on c5 (Giuoco Piano)
The calm plan: a solid center with c3 and d3, castle, rook to e1, h3 to cover g4; then the knight travels d2–f1–g3 to the kingside. Push d4 when the time is right.
- A solid center: pawns to c3 and d32 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- Castle and rook to e12 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- Bishop to b3, and h3 to cover g42 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- The knight's journey: d2, f1, g33 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If the knight jumps to g4: guard f21 neuer Zug🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If Black castles first1 neuer Zug🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If Black plays d6 first1 neuer Zug🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
If Black brings the knight to f6 (Two Knights Defense)
Instead of the sharp knight jump to g5, protect e4 with d3 and use the same setup: castle, rook to e1, c3. If the bishop comes to c5, you're straight back in the Giuoco.
- Bishop to c5: back to a familiar position2 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If the bishop goes to e73 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If Black plays h62 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
If Black tries another third move
Less common moves. Know the trap (Blackburne-Kostić!), then return to your familiar setup: d3, c3, castle, rook to e1.
- If Black plays h6 at once (Anti-Fried Liver)2 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- Knight to d4: trade, don't grab e5!3 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If the bishop then comes to c5: strike on f7!3 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- If Black plays d64 neue Züge🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion
- Bishop straight to e7 (Hungarian Defense)1 neuer Zug🔒 Beende zuerst die vorige Lektion