Don Chess

Learn the Italian Game

One of the oldest openings there is – played for over 400 years. Your bishop aims straight at f7, Black’s weakest point.

You play with White. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O O-O

C54 · Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…e5 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e5.
  3. 2.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  4. 2…Nc6 Develops the knight to c6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  5. 3.Bc4 Develops the bishop to c4 – pieces out first, then attack.
  6. 3…Bc5 Develops the bishop to c5 – pieces out first, then attack.
  7. 4.c3 Prepares the pawn move to d4.
  8. 4…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  9. 5.d3 Supports the pawn on e4 – the centre stands firm.
  10. 5…d6 Supports the pawn on e5 – the centre stands firm.
  11. 6.O-O Castles: the king is safe and the rook joins the game.
  12. 6…O-O Castles: the king is safe and the rook joins the game.

Idea and plans

The idea

With 3.Bc4 White aims at f7, the weakest point in Black’s camp, and develops quickly to castle.

Plan for White

Nowadays mostly calm: c3, d3, castling and later d4 or a slow kingside attack (Nbd2–f1–g3).

Plan for Black

Develop in kind (…Bc5, …Nf6, …d6), castle and fight for the centre, often with …d5.

Tip

Watch for early threats against f7 and pins with Bg5.

The 10 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

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