Chess openings

Italian Game

Italian Game (C50) starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. In 37,217 games between strong players, White wins 40%, 21% are drawn and Black wins 39%; the most played move is 3…Nf6 (49%).

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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

ECO
C50
Games between strong players
37,217
To move
Black
40%21%39%

White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.

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What strong players play next

The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.

MovePlayedResultsLeads to
3…Nf649% (18,341)43%16%41%Italian Game: Two Knights Defense
3…Bc544% (16,332)37%27%36%Italian Game: Giuoco Piano
3…d63% (1,205)39%14%47%Italian Game: Paris Defense
3…Be72% (816)44%17%39%Italian Game: Hungarian Defense
3…a60% (110)40%50%–
3…h60% (109)44%47%Italian Game: Anti-Fried Liver Defense

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from King's Knight Opening: Normal Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6

Top players' games in the Italian Game, reviewed

Every Italian Game line

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