Chess opening · ECO C50

Italian Game

The Italian Game starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. It ranks #15 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
  5. 3. Bc4White develops the light-squared bishop to c4.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Nf6 is the most popular next move among players rated under 1200 and 2000 and up, though the favorite changes in between.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Nf6 34%h6 16%Bc5 15%
1200–1399Nf6 32%h6 22%Bc5 20%
1400–1599Nf6 29%Bc5 25%h6 23%
1600–1799Bc5 32%Nf6 28%h6 18%
1800–1999Bc5 39%Nf6 34%Be7 8%
2000 and upNf6 46%Bc5 37%Be7 8%

Related openings

King's Knight Opening: Normal VariationThe line this one grows fromItalian Game: Two Knights DefenseA variation of this lineItalian Game: Giuoco PianoA variation of this lineItalian Game: Anti-Fried Liver DefenseA variation of this lineItalian Game: Blackburne-Kostić GambitA variation of this line

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