Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. Main Scenario of Events
1. e41... e5After 1... e5We bring out the ♞ to f3, attacking ♟e5
2. Nf32... Nc6After 2... Nc6Developing the ♝ to c4, focusing on getting pieces into play
3. Bc43... Bc5After 3... Bc5We play ♟c2-c3, preparing to seize the center with ♟d2-d4
4. c3
After 4... Nf6White to move. At the board4... Nf6After 4... Nf6White has several options, but the toughest is ♟d2-d4, exploding the center. Black must exchange or get a worse position
5. d45... exd4After 5... exd4Instead of the obvious ♟c3xd4, we go hard with ♟e4-e5, aiming for a strong advantage. We invite Black to err
6. e56... d5After 6... d5The strongest and sharpest response from Black. Taking the knight with ♟e5xf6 leads White to a worse position, so we cleverly retreat ♝c4-b5, pinning and maintaining pressure on ♞f6
7. Bb57... Ne4After 7... Ne4Time to recapture material with ♟c3xd4, offering Black a choice of retreat squares
8. cxd4After 8... Bb4+White to move. At the board8... Bb4+After 8... Bb4+We block the check with ♞b1-d2
9. Nbd29... O-OAfter 9... O-OWe castle, breaking the pin
10. O-O10... Bg4After 10... Bg4There's the unpleasant threat of winning a pawn with ♞c6xd4, so we eliminate the pin with a counter-threat—♛d1-a4, targeting ♝b4
11. Qa411... Nxd2After 11... Nxd2We recapture with the knight—♞f3xd2, preventing the exposure of our ♚ after ♝c1xd2 and subsequent ♝g4xf3
12. Nxd212... Bxd2After 12... Bxd2If Black resolves the ♝b4 issue this way, we happily take back with ♝c1xd2, gaining the bishop pair advantage
After 13. Bxd2Black to move. At the board13. Bxd2After 13. Bxd2A common position type in the Italian Game. White has a clear edge: 1) a powerful pawn center; 2) good attacking prospects on the kingside. Play ♟f2-f4, grabbing space!
2. How Do Beginners Often Respond?
1. e41... e5After 1... e5We bring out the ♞ to f3, attacking ♟e5
2. Nf32... Nc6After 2... Nc6Develop the ♝ to c4, focusing on getting pieces into the game
3. Bc43... Bc5After 3... Bc5Play ♟c2-c3, preparing to seize the center with ♟d2-d4
4. c3After 4... Nf6White to move. At the board4... Nf6After 4... Nf6White has several options, but the most aggressive is ♟d2-d4, blowing up the center. Black must exchange or face a worse position
5. d45... exd4After 5... exd4Instead of the obvious ♟c3xd4, we play aggressively with ♟e4-e5, offering Black a chance to blunder
6. e56... Ng4After 6... Ng4Black should counterattack with ♟d7-d5 for rich play. ♞f6-g4 is a serious mistake, letting us recapture with ♟c3xd4 for a strong center. Take the pawn!
7. cxd4After 7... Bb4+White to move. At the board7... Bb4+After 7... Bb4+White has several blocking options, but the best is ♞b1-c3. Blocking with ♝c1-d2 is weaker; remember, don't trade pieces without a good reason!
8. Nc38... d5After 8... d5Don't take ♟d5 due to the pin on our ♞c3; prefer retreating ♝c4-b5
9. Bb59... O-OAfter 9... O-OLet's castle, friends, completing the development of the kingside!
10. O-O10... f6After 10... f6Black has two big issues: 1) they lack central control; 2) no coordination among developed pieces. They wish to undermine with ♟f7-f6. Play ♟h2-h3, forcing ♞g4 to the edge
11. h3After 11... Nh6White to move. At the board11... Nh6After 11... Nh6We could exchange ♝c1xh6, exposing the opponent's ♚, but capturing ♟e5xf6 is stronger, winning the central ♟d5
12. exf612... Qxf6After 12... Qxf6If ♜f8xf6, White had ♝c1-g5 to win the exchange. Capture the pawn — ♞c3xd5 for a strong advantage
13. Nxd513... Qd6After 13... Qd6Capture the knight — ♝b5xc6, forcing Black to respond with ♟b7xc6, doubling pawns on the c-file
14. Bxc6After 14... bxc6White to move. At the board14... bxc6After 14... bxc6Recapture the bishop — ♞d5xb4, depriving Black of the bishop pair
15. Nxb415... Qxb4After 15... Qxb4Now, with an extra pawn and strong advantage, capture the misplaced ♞h6, exposing the enemy ♚
16. Bxh616... gxh6After 16... gxh6Bring the ♜a1 into play with pressure on the c-file. White's position is completely winning; just exploit Black's weaknesses
After 17. Rc1Black to move. At the board17. Rc1
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.