C56

Italian Game: Scotch 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.

Best Games

Nakamura,H vs Ganguly,S0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Petrosian,TL vs Navara,D0-1
14th Ordix Open • 2007
Kamsky, Gata vs Ye Rongguang0-1
Manila Interzonal • 1990
Bronstein, David I vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
Tallinn • 1979
Kaufman,Harris vs Adams,Mi0-1
15th LCC Super Rapid 2025 • 2025
Grischuk,A vs Anton Guijarro,D1/2-1/2
TCh-ESP Div Honor 2025 • 2025
Dominguez Perez,L vs Nasuta,G0-1
Titled Tue 2nd Jul Late • 2024
Gao Rui vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tue 2nd Apr Early • 2024
Antunez,S vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tue 13th Feb Early • 2024
Fernandez Guillen,E vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tue 31st Jan Early • 2023
Gireman,J vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Titled Tue 1st Nov Late • 2022
Beerdsen,Thomas vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 13th Sep Early • 2022
Jary,S vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tuesday 30th Nov • 2021
Bagrationi,A vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tuesday 27th Apr • 2021
Jones,G vs So,W1-0
NIC Classic Prelim 2021 • 2021
Espinosa Veloz,E vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tuesday 20th Apr • 2021
Carlsen,M vs Tang,Andrew0-1
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021 • 2021
Williams,Si1 vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
Titled Tuesday 16th Feb • 2021
Dubov,Daniil vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
Opera Euro Rapid Prelim • 2021
Sliwicki,D vs Kamsky,G0-1
Titled Tuesday 2nd Feb • 2021

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