Haren
The Italian Game has been around for centuries, was eclipsed by the aggressive Ruy Lopez for a long while as a response to 1.e4, and got a fresh lease of life in the recent decades. White aims to develop rapidly and control the centre.
The Italian Game made an appearance in game 2 of the World Chess Championship.
Here is how the first few moves go.1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3) Bc4. The difference with the Spanish Opening (Ruy Lopez) starts on White’s third move with the bishop moving to Bc4 instead of Bb5.
Game 2 of the World Chess Championship between Gukesh and Ding Liren ended in a draw after starting with a Giuoco Pianissimo Variation of the Italian Opening.
Depending on how Black responds on the third move, the Italian Game has many variations. The major ones are 3…Bc5 and 3…Nf6. Here is a more detailed list
Major variations of the Italian Game
Giuoco Piano: The ‘slow game’ is a major variation. Giuco Piano goes 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 . Black plays Bc5, almost mirroring White on the third move. White plays c3 in response
Giuco Pianissimo: In this ‘very slow game’, White plays a more solid d3 instead of c3. The moves are 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3. Those following the 2024 World Chess Championship between India’s D Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren would see this was the opening that played out
Two Knights Defence: On the third move Black responds with Nf6 giving rise to the name of the variations . The moves are 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6
Hungarian Defence: On the third move black plays a mellow Be7. The moves are 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7. May not lead to sharp play ahead.
Evans Gambit: White offers a pawn sacrifice on the fourth move for a chance to mount an attack. The moves are 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4. Black may play 4…Bxb4 accepting the gambit or may decline it.
