C51
Italian Game: Evans Gambit
Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
The Italian Game is one of the oldest chess openings, where White develops the bishop to c4 targeting the f7 square. It leads to open, tactical positions with clear attacking ideas for White. The Giuoco Piano (3...Bc5) and Two Knights Defence (3...Nf6) are the main branches.
History & Notable Players
One of the oldest recorded openings, analysed in Italian manuscripts from the 15th century. It experienced a massive renaissance in the 2010s when top players like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana adopted it as a main weapon.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C50 - Italian Game2144C52 - Italian Game: Evans Gambit110C53 - Italian Game: Bird's Attack1114C54 - Italian Game: Classical Variation406C55 - Italian Game: Two Knights Defense941C56 - Italian Game: Scotch Gambit47C57 - Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Kloss Gambit29C58 - Italian Game: Two Knights Defense137C59 - Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Knorre Variation67
Best Games
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Makhnev,Denis0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Rasulov,Vu1-0
PNWCC Super G60 Jan Gp1 • 2021★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Kamsky,G0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Timman, Jan H1-0
Biel • 1995★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
Aimchess Rapid Prelim • 2022
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Titled Tuesday 19th Jan • 2021
Caruana,F vs So,W0-1
Clutch Chess Showdown Int • 2020
Grischuk,A vs Carlsen,M0-1
chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017 • 2017
Grischuk,A vs Carlsen,M1-0
chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017 • 2017
Short,N vs L'Ami,E1-0
Corus B • 2008
Karjakin,Sergey vs Beliavsky,A0-1
6th EICC • 2005
Short,N vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
KasparovChess GP g/60 • 2000
Morozevich, Alexander vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
Frankfurt-West Masters • 1999
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Tal mem • 1995
Kasparov, Gary vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
London rapid m theme • 1993
Morphy, Paul vs Morphy, Alonzo1-0
New Orleans m • 1849
Morphy, Paul vs Morphy, Alonzo1-0
New Orleans m • 1849
Morphy, Paul vs Morphy, Alonzo1-0
New Orleans m • 1849
Maghsoodloo,Parham vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
TCh-ESP Div Honor 2025 • 2025
Bernadskiy,V vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
25th ch-EUR Indiv 2025 • 2025