How to beat the Italian Game

The most popular 1.e4 e5 opening at club level, from the quiet Giuoco Pianissimo to the sharp Evans and Fried Liver attacks.

Three plans that work

1. Play the Two Knights if you like tactics

3...Nf6 invites 4.Ng5. Know the 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 main line and it's White who has to be careful.

2. Or keep it solid with ...Bc5 and ...d6

Develop, castle, and play ...a6 / ...Ba7 to keep the bishop. The slow Italian is about who manoeuvres better.

3. Watch f7

Every Italian player is aiming at f7. Keep it covered until you've castled.

A line to play

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O a6

The pitfall

The Fried Liver (Ng5xf7) traps many club players. Learn the 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 line.

What the data says

In 33 recent games of the top 100 titled Lichess players featuring the Italian Game, they scored 53% on average. Players who use it most: GM Tigran-Harutyunyan (64%), IM DiaryTraining (55%), GM Riadovoi_jam (31%).

Prepare against the actual player

Averages only go so far. A Italian Game player has their own pet variations and weak spots. Before your next game, get a free fingerprint of your opponent, or get the full prep report ($5): every variation they play, where they score worst, and a game plan for both colours.