Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo: main line, ideas and how to practise it
1.e4 e5 for White. A main line to learn move by move, with the idea behind each key move.
The main line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Bb3 Ba7 9. Nbd2
You play White. In the analyzer's drill the other side's moves are played for you and Stockfish checks each of yours.
Practise it with free drillsAnalyze one of your own games
The ideas behind the moves
- 2. Nf3: Develop with a threat: the knight attacks e5.
- 3. Bc4: The bishop eyes f7, the weakest square in Black's camp.
- 4. c3: c3 prepares d4 and gives the bishop a retreat square.
- 5. d3: The modern, slow approach: keep the centre solid and manoeuvre behind it.
- 7. Re1: The rook supports e4 and makes room for the knight's trip to f1.
- 8. Bb3: Tucks the bishop away before ...b5 or ...d5 can hit it.
- 9. Nbd2: Heading for f1 and g3: the typical Italian regrouping.
Legends who played it
- Wilhelm Steinitz: 110 games in the Italian Game, 60% score
- Magnus Carlsen: 97 games in the Italian Game, 66% score
- Paul Morphy: 53 games in the Italian Game, 88% score
- Emanuel Lasker: 43 games in the Italian Game, 66% score
- Alexander Alekhine: 32 games in the Italian Game, 78% score
- Anatoly Karpov: 26 games in the Italian Game, 63% score
- Garry Kasparov: 9 games in the Italian Game, 67% score
- José Raúl Capablanca: 8 games in the Italian Game, 69% score
More openings to learn
- Ruy Lopez: Closed
1.e4 e5 for White - Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 for White - Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox
1.d4 for White - London System
1.d4 for White - Sicilian Najdorf: English Attack
Against 1.e4 as Black - Caro-Kann: Classical
Against 1.e4 as Black - French Defence: Advance
Against 1.e4 as Black - Scandinavian Defence
Against 1.e4 as Black - King's Indian: Classical
Against 1.d4 as Black - Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower
Against 1.d4 as Black