C54

Italian Game: Classical Variation

Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3

The Giuoco Piano ('quiet game' in Italian) features the slow buildup with c3 and d4. Despite its name, modern treatment has shown it can lead to extremely sharp play.

History & Notable Players

One of the oldest known openings. Its modern revival has made it one of the most important openings in top-level chess.

Best Games

Gelfand,B vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Kramnik,V0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Leko,P vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Shirov,A0-1
WCh Candidates s/f • 2007★ Notable
Needleman,G vs Grischuk,A0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Movsesian,S vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Zhang Pengxiang vs Karpov,An1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Zhang Pengxiang vs Karpov,An1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Nakamura, Hikaru vs Tanrikulu, Secim Erhan1-0
Wch U12 • 1999★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Shirov, Alexei0-1
Linares • 1998★ Notable
Morozevich, Alexander vs Gyimesi, Zoltan1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 5th • 1996★ Notable
De Pender, Paul vs Grischuk, Alexander0-1
Wch U14 • 1996★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Almasi, Zoltan1-0
Wch U16 • 1992★ Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Aronov, L.1-0
Wch U10 • 1992★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Khalifman, Alexander1-0
Reggio Emilia9192 • 1992★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 30th • 1981★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 30th • 1981★ Notable

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