ECO C50 · for White
Italian Game
The line below is what Lichess 1400-1600 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
58,612,858 games in this band reached the Italian Game position. From there White won 51% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Qb3 Bxa1 11. Bxf7+ Kf8 12. Bg5 Ne7
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... Nc6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and supporting the e5 pawn.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6
3. Bc4
Targeting the weak f7 square, which is only defended by the king. This move also prepares to castle kingside.
3... Bc5
(played in 31% of games)
Developing the bishop to a strong diagonal, aiming to control the center and prepare for kingside castling.
- 3... Nf6 (29%): Attacking the e4 pawn and preparing for kingside castling. This move also allows for the possibility of d5, further challenging white's control of the center.
- 3... h6 (18%): Preventing any potential Ng5 or Bg5 moves from white, but this move is generally considered slow and does not contribute to piece development or control of the center.
4. c3
(played in 26% of games)
Preparing the d4 break for greater control of the center and to threaten the dark squared bishop.
- 4. d3 (24%): Supporting the e4 pawn and allowing to develop the dark squared bishop.
- 4. O-O (20%): Castling kingside with a slight development advantage. Planning to break in the center later probably with c3 and d4.
- 4. Nc3 (13%): Developing the knight and controlling the center. White will likely continue with d3 and castling.
4... Nf6
(played in 56% of games)
Developing the knight while attacking the e4 pawn.
- 4... d6 (26%): Protecting the e5 pawn and solidifying the center so that d4 hits with less force when white plays it later.
Moves 5 to 6
5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+
5. d4
(played in 52% of games)
Advancing in the center and forcing Black's bishop to retreat.
- 5. d3 (30%): Giving the dark squared bishop and the knight on b1 more ability to become active, while also protecting the e4 pawn.
5... exd4
(played in 94% of games)
Capturing the d4 pawn and allowing Black to play Bb4+ next move.
6. cxd4
(played in 76% of games)
Recapturing the pawn on d4, attacking the bishop and gaining space.
6... Bb4+
(played in 74% of games)
Moving the bishop away from the threat and checking the White king.
Moves 7 to 8
7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Nxc3
7. Nc3 (played in 53% of games)
7... Nxe4 (played in 54% of games)
8. O-O (played in 70% of games)
8... Nxc3 (played in 61% of games)
Moves 9 to 10
9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Qb3 Bxa1
9. bxc3 (played in 89% of games)
9... Bxc3 (played in 80% of games)
10. Qb3 (played in 38% of games)
10... Bxa1 (played in 78% of games)
Moves 11 to 12
11. Bxf7+ Kf8 12. Bg5 Ne7
11. Bxf7+ (played in 94% of games)
11... Kf8 (played in 96% of games)
12. Bg5 (played in 74% of games)
12... Ne7 (played in 72% of games)
Where games go from here
12,065 games in this band reached the final position above. The most common continuations:
- Re1 (42%)
- Ne5 (42%)
- Rxa1 (12%)
Game counts and move shares are from Lichess games between 1400 and 1600 rated players, as used in Chessbook, snapshotted 2026-10-17.