Italian Game: a practical example
White may pursue quiet development with c3 and d3 or choose more forcing play in specific lines. Black's response determines whether the position becomes a maneuvering battle or a sharp contest involving the center and king safety.
How to use the idea in your games
Do not confuse a bishop pointing at f7 with a guaranteed attack. Bring supporting pieces into play and calculate the opponent's central counterplay before sacrificing material.
A useful study question
Can you explain italian game in your own words, identify it in a position, and describe when the idea does not apply? Test the explanation on a legal board before relying on it.
Connect the ideas
Development, Center, Sacrifice are useful next concepts. Follow the links to compare definitions and examples, then return to the complete chess glossary whenever an unfamiliar term appears.
Sources & further reading
References checked September 5, 2026. Linked services are independent of ChessRankings.com™.