Italian Game: Best Moves and Traps (Complete Guide)

The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) is one of the oldest and most popular chess openings, favored by beginners and grandmasters alike. It leads to open, tactical positions where both sides have active piece play. However, it also contains devastating traps that can decide the game in just a few moves.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:
✔ The best move orders in the Italian Game
✔ Key strategic ideas for both sides
✔ 5 deadly traps to win quickly
✔ How to counter the Italian Game as Black
✔ Famous games and players who used it

Let’s dive in!

1. What Is the Italian Game?

The Italian Game begins with:

1. e4 e5 (classical king’s pawn opening)

2. Nf3 Nc6 (both sides develop knights)

3. Bc4 (the defining move of the Italian Game)

Why It’s Popular

✅ Easy to learn – Logical piece development.
✅ Leads to open, tactical games – Great for attacking players.
✅ Rich in history – Played since the 16th century.

Main Variations

1. Giuoco Piano (4.d3) – Slow, positional play.

2. Evans Gambit (4.b4!?) – Sacrifice a pawn for rapid development.

3. Fried Liver Attack (4.Ng5) – Aggressive knight sacrifice.

2. Best Move Orders for White

A. Giuoco Piano (4.d3)

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Bc5

4. d3 (solid, flexible)

Key Ideas:
✔ Prepare c3 and Nbd2 for a slow buildup.
✔ Possible pawn breaks with f4 or d4 later.

B. Evans Gambit (4.b4!?)

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Bc5

4. b4!? (sacrifices a pawn for initiative)

Why Play It?
✔ Rapid development with Bb2 and 0-0.
✔ Leads to sharp, tactical play.

C. Fried Liver Attack (4.Ng5)

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Nf6

4. Ng5!? (threatening Nxf7)

A deadly trap if Black isn’t careful!

3. 5 Deadly Italian Game Traps

Trap #1: The Fried Liver Attack

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Nf6

4. Ng5 d5

5. exd5 Nxd5??

6. Nxf7! (winning the rook)

If Black takes: 6…Kxf7 7.Qf3+ Ke8 8.Qxd5 (winning a pawn and the rook).

Trap #2: The Legal Mate

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 d6

4. Nc3 Bg4?

5. Nxe5! Bxd1??

6. Bxf7+ Ke7

7. Nd5# (checkmate!)

Trap #3: The Noah’s Ark Trap

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Nf6

4. d3 Bc5

5. 0-0 d6

6. Bg5 h6

7. Bh4 g5?

8. Nxg5! hxg5

9. Bxg5 (winning the knight on f6)

Trap #4: The Blackburne Shilling Gambit

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Nd4?

4. Nxe5 Qg5

5. Nxf7! (winning material)

Trap #5: The Italian Bishop Sacrifice

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Bc5

4. c3 Nf6

5. d4 exd4

6. cxd4 Bb4+

7. Bd2 Bxd2+

8. Nbxd2 d5?

9. exd5 Nxd5

10. Qb3! (winning a piece)

4. How to Counter the Italian Game as Black

Best Defenses for Black

1. Two Knights Defense (3…Nf6) – Leads to sharp play.

2. Giuoco Piano (3…Bc5) – Solid, classical response.

3. Hungarian Defense (3…Be7) – A tricky, less common option.

What NOT to Do Against the Italian

❌ Don’t play 3…Nd4? (loses to 4.Nxe5).
❌ Avoid 4…Nxd5?? in the Fried Liver Attack.

5. Famous Games & Players

✔ Mikhail Tal – Used the Italian for brilliant attacks.
✔ Bobby Fischer – Played it in early career games.
✔ Magnus Carlsen – Occasionally uses it as a surprise weapon.

6. Should You Play the Italian Game?

Pros

✅ Easy to learn and play.
✅ Leads to open, tactical games.
✅ Full of devastating traps.

Cons

❌ Black can equalize with accurate play.
❌ Some lines require precise move orders.

7. Final Verdict

The Italian Game is perfect for beginners and remains a strong choice at all levels. If you love tactical, attacking chess, this opening is for you!