Chess openings / Italian Game

Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation

Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation (C50) starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5. In 216 games between strong players, White wins 38%, 11% are drawn and Black wins 51%; the most played move is 6…h6 (85%).

abcdefgh87654321

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5

ECO
C50
Games between strong players
216
To move
Black
38%51%

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

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
6…h685% (183)38%52%–
6…Be66% (13)54%38%–
6…Na53% (7)14%29%57%–
6…O-O2% (4)25%50%25%–
6…a62% (4)25%75%–
6…Bg41% (3)33%67%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3

More Italian Game lines

Played the Italian Game lately?

Enter your Chess.com or Lichess username: every move of your game labelled from Brilliant to Blunder, and where you left theory. Free, no account.