Chess openings / Italian Game

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening (C55) starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3. In 13,374 games between strong players, White wins 43%, 18% are drawn and Black wins 40%; the most played move is 4…Bc5 (52%).

abcdefgh87654321

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3

ECO
C55
Games between strong players
13,374
To move
Black
43%18%40%

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
4…Bc552% (6,893)41%20%39%Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Normal
4…Be725% (3,390)46%15%39%–
4…h616% (2,158)44%14%42%–
4…d55% (724)41%16%43%–
4…a61% (78)26%40%34%–
4…d60% (50)48%50%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from Italian Game: Two Knights Defense 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6

Top players' games in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening, reviewed

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.