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The Italian Game is one of the oldest openings in chess, dating back to the original rule changes that led to the invention of the "Mad Queen" back in the fifteenth century. Designed to put a tremendous amount of pressure on the "f7" square, it was feared weapon of attacking players up until the 20th century when improved defensive techniques led to a level game where both sides had chances. It has a number of side variations, such as the Evans Gambit that can make it a lot of fun to play. I encourage beginning players to take up the Italian Game because it teaches the open game, development, and at the same time allows for a lot of strategic maneuvering if White so chooses. Both players are able to stake a claim to the center and each is able to develop normally. White has a move in hand, so Black must play carefully to equalize. As with all openings, pawn structure is a key to long term level chances for Black in the opening. White attempts to mobilize his pieces and get an attacking formation.

Giuoco Pianissimo (Very Quietly Played)

White has several different ways to place this position. The most quiet way for him to approach it is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.e3 Nf6 5.0-0 d6 6.Nb8-d7 0-0. At this point the game is level with both sides having equal chances.





Position after 6.....0-0







The Evans Gambit

A gambit is where White offers a pawn for either a positional advantage or a lead in development. The Evans Gambit was invented in the early part of the Nineteenth Century by one Captain Evans, whose an actual captain on one of the English packet ships that operated in that era. It was hailed at the time as a "gift of the Gods" to a languishing chess world. The Evans Gambit was played extensively up until the end of the 19th Century when the leading masters of the time developed an accurate defense to it and it fell out of fashion. It was recently revived by none other than Gary Kasparov and is certainly playable. A complete examination is beyond the scope of this article, but the basic moves with diagram are given below.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!? Bxb4 (the gambit can also be declined) 5.c3 Be7 6.d4 (This is just one variation of the Evans; there are many more. We will eventually cover all of them in our advanced opening section. The single best reference on the opening remains "Play the Evans Gambit" by Tim Harding and Bernard Cafferty Cadogan Press (Now Everyman Chess) 1997





The Italian Game-Mainline c3

The Italian Game main line provides both sides with an interesting struggle. White has free movement for his pieces, Black has the better pawn structure and is very solid. In most cases, the better player will win. 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6(White is planning on building a very strong pawn center with the idea of occupying it with pawns. This is a strategy that was a characteristic of the Classical school of chess and many of the openings revolve around it.) 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd7+ 8.Nbxd2 d5! (liquidating the center before it becomes dangerous) 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Qb3 Nce7. (see diagram)

Position after 10.Qb3 Nce7. White has an isolated queen pawn but free movement for his pieces as compensation. Black has a solid pawn structure with no weaknesses and will be able to complete his development. The position is level with equal chances for both sides.

[JamesBondz]

Yeah, you are right man!

[Axz]

Good topic! Very useful