Planchetto
Sign in

Italian Game for White

Free course. Open with and learn the Italian Game plan for each Black reply: defending e4 with , building the centre with and , taking the centre with and gaining space with .

21 lines in 3 chapters. Free and complete.

The plans in this course

The slow build-up

Defend e4 with pawns and castle before opening the centre.

When Black brings the bishop to c5, you play and : the d3 pawn supports e4 and the c3 pawn prepares a later advance to d4. Before opening the centre, develop your pieces and castle with . With Black's bishop on c5, don't push the d3 pawn to d4 while your king is still on e1: Black exchanges on d4, checks from b4 and your king loses the right to castle.

6 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 61% of 576. Online, 2200+: 39% of 1,430.

Space on the queenside

Gain space and stop Black's pawns from hitting your bishop.

Once and are in and you have castled, Black often prepares with to chase your bishop. With you stop that advance and gain space. If the bishop still has to retreat, a2 is a safe square on the same diagonal.

4 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 44% of 342. Online, 2200+: 48% of 550.

Guarding the centre pawn

Defend your centre pawn from the knight without losing time.

When Black puts the knight on f6, it attacks your e4 pawn. You defend it with : the pawn stands firm and the centre stays closed. If Black breaks with , you take with , and that pawn is gone before it can attack your bishop on c4. After , continue with ; trading your bishop for that knight leaves Black's queen well placed in the centre.

9 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 86% of 682. Online, 2200+: 55% of 1,939.

Taking the centre

Occupy the centre with a pawn when Black does not contest it.

The move develops no piece and does not attack e4. Use that time: with your pawn still on d2, play before castling. If Black exchanges with , you recapture with : your knight settles in the centre and the rest of your pieces come out fast. If your queen ends up on d4 and Black's knight comes to f6, push to kick it before castling; if you castle first, Black breaks in the centre and frees the position.

4 in 10 masters choose it here.See dataHide

Over-the-board games, 2300+: 42% of 77. Online, 2200+: 39% of 229.

If Black hits e4 with the knight after

0 of 8 done

You will learn to defend e4 with , to meet without losing time, and to finish your development with your king castled before opening the centre.

The most common mistake, on move 6; 11 players in 100 play it. After Black's queen settles in the centre and Black keeps the bishop pair. only moves it back one square, and Black develops with .

Guarding the centre pawn

  1. NextIf Black breaks with 3 moves of yoursStart
  2. Not startedIf Black castles after 4 moves of yours
  3. Not startedIf the bishop comes after 4 moves of yours
  4. Not startedIf comes after the bishop4 moves of yours
  5. Not startedIf comes before castling4 moves of yours
  6. Not startedIf Black holds e5 after 3 moves of yours
  7. Not startedIf Black develops with 3 moves of yours
  8. Not startedIf pins your knight6 moves of yours

If Black develops the bishop to c5 after

You will learn to build the centre with and , to castle before opening the game against the bishop on c5, and to gain space with .

The most common mistake, on move 6; 4 players in 100 play it. opens the centre with your king still on e1. After , gives check; with you lose the right to castle, and after the centre is open with your king exposed.

The slow build-upSpace on the queenside

If Black waits instead of developing after

You will learn to exploit a passive move by taking the centre with before castling.

The most common mistake, on move 7; 23 players in 100 play it. You give Black time to break in the centre. After , attacks your bishop and opens the c8 bishop's diagonal. After , you are a pawn up, but Black has castled and the pieces are coming out. With the knight had to retreat and Black stayed behind in development.

Taking the centre