Italian Game: The Opening Magnus Carlsen Made His Own

The Italian Game begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. White’s bishop aims at f7 and the center, developing naturally while keeping multiple plans open. One of the oldest openings in recorded chess theory, documented in 15th-century manuscripts, it became Magnus Carlsen’s primary White weapon after modern analysis showed it could produce rich, imbalanced positions without the depth of preparation the Ruy Lopez demands.

The Ruy Lopez dominated e4-e5 openings for over a century. Carlsen shifted toward the Italian because it generated rich, less-mapped positions where his technical superiority matters more than prep depth.

Giuoco Piano: 3…Bc5

Black mirrors White’s bishop development. After 4.c3, White prepares d4. The Giuoco Pianissimo (“very quiet game”) arises when White plays more slowly: 4.d3, building with Be3, Nbd2, h3 before committing to d4. Carlsen’s preferred path. The resulting positions are strategic battles over 40+ moves: exactly the terrain where he excels.

The Classical Giuoco Piano (4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+) leads to more open, tactical positions where both sides fight for central control.

Two Knights Defense: 3…Nf6

Black attacks e4 immediately. After 4.Ng5, White threatens f7. The most principled response is 4…d5 5.exd5 Na5. The Fried Liver Attack (4…d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7!?) sacrifices a piece for a ferocious attack, objectively risky but devastating against unprepared opponents.

Hungarian Defense: 3…Be7

Solid and passive: Black develops to e7 rather than c5 or Nf6. White gets a slight space advantage; the positions are dull by Italian standards. Rarely seen at top level.

Why the Italian works at top level

The Ruy Lopez requires knowing 20+ moves of theory in its main closed variation. The Italian’s lines are shorter. Novelties are possible earlier. Carlsen’s Giuoco Pianissimo games often enter positions where both sides must actually think from move 12 onward, rather than recite prepared sequences. That suits players whose calculation exceeds their opponents’.

For club players: the Italian is excellent for the same reason. Structural ideas are clear (bishop aims at f7, control the center with c3-d4, castle safely), and the positions don’t require 25-move memorization. See our chess improvement guide on when opening study is worth prioritizing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Italian Game? An opening beginning 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. One of the oldest openings in chess, currently popular because Carlsen made the Giuoco Pianissimo his primary White weapon.

What is the Giuoco Piano? The main Italian variation where Black plays 3…Bc5. “Quiet game” in Italian. The Giuoco Pianissimo (White plays d3 rather than d4 immediately) is the slowest, most positional version: Carlsen’s choice.

What is the Fried Liver Attack? After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7!?, White sacrifices a piece for a kingside attack. Objectively risky but extremely dangerous against unprepared opponents at any level.

Is the Italian Game good for beginners? Yes, it teaches correct principles and doesn’t require deep memorization. The structural ideas are straightforward and applicable.

Sources

• Hooper, David, and Kenneth Whyld. The Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford University Press, 1992.
• Chernev, Irving. Logical Chess: Move by Move. Batsford. (affiliate)
• de la Villa, Jesús. 100 Endgames You Must Know. New in Chess. (affiliate)