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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4

< Chess Opening Theory‎| 1. e4‎| 1...e5‎| 2. Nf3‎| 2...Nc6
Open Game
a b c d e f g h
8{{{square}}} black rook{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black bishop{{{square}}} black queen{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black bishop{{{square}}} black knight{{{square}}} black rook8
7{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black pawn7
6{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black knight{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king6
5{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king5
4{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white bishop{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king4
3{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white knight{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king3
2{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn{{{square}}} white pawn2
1{{{square}}} white rook{{{square}}} white knight{{{square}}} white bishop{{{square}}} white queen{{{square}}} white king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} black king{{{square}}} white rook1
a b c d e f g h

Italian GameEdit

3. Bc4Edit

And so we reach the Italian Game. White takes aim at Black's weak f7 pawn. Now there are a number of options for Black. This opening is more reserved than the Ruy Lopez.

ResponsesEdit

 a b c d e f g h  
8        8
7        7
6        6
5        5
4        4
3        3
2        2
1        1
 a b c d e f g h  
3...Nf6   (Two Knights)

 a b c d e f g h  
8        8
7        7
6        6
5        5
4        4
3        3
2        2
1        1
 a b c d e f g h  
3...Bc5   (Giuoco Piano)

 a b c d e f g h  
8        8
7        7
6        6
5        5
4        4
3        3
2        2
1        1
 a b c d e f g h  
3...Be7   (Hungarian)

 a b c d e f g h  
8        8
7        7
6        6
5        5
4        4
3        3
2        2
1        1
 a b c d e f g h  
3....d6   (Paris)

 a b c d e f g h  
8        8
7        7
6        6
5        5
4        4
3        3
2        2
1        1
 a b c d e f g h  
3....Nd4   (Blackburne Shilling Gambit)

 a b c d e f g h  
8        8
7        7
6        6
5        5
4        4
3        3
2        2
1        1
 a b c d e f g h  
3....f5   (Rousseau Gambit)


Theory tableEdit

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

3 4
Two Knights Defence ...
Nf6		 Ng5
d5		 =
Giuoco Piano ...
Bc5		 c3
Nf6		 =
Hungarian Defence ...
Be7		 d4
exd4		 =
Paris Defence ...
d6		 c3
Bg4		 +/=
Blackburne Shilling Gambit ...
Nd4		 c3
Nxf3		 +/=
Rousseau Gambit ...
f5		 d3
Nf6		 +/=
Other ...
a6		 d4
exd4		 0-0
Bc5		 c3
dxc3		 +/=

StatisticsEdit

Estimated next move popularity Nf6 56%, Bc5 38%, Be7 3%, d6 2%, all else less than 1%

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External linksEdit

ReferencesEdit

 

Wikipedia has related information at Italian Game

  • Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
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