1.e4 — the open games

Italian Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4ECO C50–C54

The bishop eyes f7, the weakest square in Black's camp. Straightforward development and clear attacking plans make it the ideal first opening — modern theory has revived it at the top level too.

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

Key ideas

The c4-bishop aims straight at f7, Black's most sensitive square.
The quiet Giuoco Pianissimo (d3, c3, slow build) is easy to play and hard to spoil.
The Two Knights and Evans Gambit offer sharper, more attacking roads.

Who it suits

Beginners and improvers who want clear development and natural attacking chances from move three.

From the blog

Five opening principles that fix most beginner mistakes

You don't need to memorise theory to get a good position out of the opening. These five ideas do almost all the work.

Add it to your repertoire.

Drill the Italian Game move by move against the board until it's second nature.

Open the trainer

More in 1.e4 — the open games

Ruy López (Spanish)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5