The Italian Game (ECO C50) is one of the oldest openings and arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. The bishop on c4 aims at Black's most vulnerable point in the opening - the f7 square.
The opening backs quick development and a fight for the centre. Out of it grow the Giuoco Piano (the «quiet game» with d3 and a slow build-up) and the sharper Two Knights Defence. The Italian is fashionable again at the top level today.
Behind the simplicity of the first moves lies a rich strategy: White chooses between a quiet manoeuvring plan and a direct attack on the king. An excellent opening for absorbing the basic principles - development, the centre, king safety.
Set it up on the board, move the pieces around and copy the FEN - or open the full walkthrough of the opening in a separate article.
Drag a piece onto the board, or click a piece and then click the squares. The cross beside the pieces sweeps every piece of that colour off the board, and a single piece can be dragged off the edge.
The pieces will be arranged into the chosen pattern.
It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
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