Italian Game: Two Knights Defense is a chess opening with the ECO code C55, part of the Italian Game family. It goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. d4 Bxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bg5 d6. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e5. After 14 moves it is White to move. After the last move Black is a pawn ahead in material. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.
The moves
1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
1... e5 – Black plays the pawn to e5
2. Nf3 – White plays the knight to f3
2... Nc6 – Black plays the knight to c6
3. Bc4 – White plays the bishop to c4
3... Nf6 – Black plays the knight to f6
4. O-O – White castles kingside
4... Bc5 – Black plays the bishop to c5
5. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
5... Bxd4 – Black takes on d4 with the bishop
6. Nxd4 – White takes on d4 with the knight
6... Nxd4 – Black takes on d4 with the knight
The line goes on for 2 more moves; the lesson shows them all.
About the Italian Game
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, White plays 3.Bc4, aiming the bishop at the weak f7 pawn. It teaches quick development and fast castling.
The quiet plan is c3, d3, O-O and later d4 to build a strong centre.
f7 is guarded only by the king, so watch for Ng5 and Qh5 tricks.
Black can reply 3...Bc5 (Giuoco Piano) or 3...Nf6 (Two Knights), both sound choices.
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