On this page I display links to my chess games in which I played either
side of the Italian Openings. The games include analysis and diagrams. I will
place the actual games on separate pages listed by the opponent played.
The Italian Game was originally know as the Giuoco Piano.
But, variations of the Italian Game include the Max Lange Attack (one of my
favorites) and the Moeller Attack. The Italian Game also includes the Evans
Gambit. When I play the Italian Game I am almost always trying
to play the Max Lange (pronounced long a) Attack. I will give an example of
the Max Lange Attack below:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4
This is the typical beginning of the Italian Game. Black
usually plays either 3... Nf6 or 3... Bc5 here. Both moves allow me to
continue with the Max Lange Attack.
... Nf6 4. d4
Here Black has the choice of capturing the pawn on d4 with
the Knight, capturing on d4 with the pawn on e5, or capturing on e4 with his
Knight on f6. The main line continues with 4... exd4.
... exd4 5. O-O
If Black captures the e pawn with 5... Nxe4 White plays 6. Re1
pinning the Knight to the Black King. This leads to wild play but can become
equal with accurate play from both sides. The main line continues with 5...
Bc5.
... Bc5 6. e5
Black can move his Knight on f6 to a safe square, but that
is considered to be inferior to counter attacking with d5.
... d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+
White has sacrificed a pawn for an attack in the Center
and on the Kingside. Black is in check and most either move his King,
which is inferior, or block the check by playing his Bishop the e6.
... Be6 9. Ng5 Qd5
D5 is the best square for the Black Queen because if Queen
to d7 White can play 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. Qh5+ and then 13. Qxc5.
10. Nc3
Black cannot capture the Knight with 10... dxc3 because
then White plays 11. Qxd5 and the Black Bishop is pinned to the Black King.
Thus, Black loses his Queen if he captures on c3 now.
... Qf5 11. Nce4 O-O-O 12. g4 Qe5 13. Nxe6 fxe6
Here White has a choice between 14. Fxg7! and 14. Bg5. I
will show what happens after 14. Fxg7!
14. fxg7! Rhg8 15. Bh6! d3!
Black expands in the Center before White can get his
Kingside attack going. White's passed pawn on g6 is a big thorn in Black's
side. Also, Black's Queen is still guarding the Black Bishop on c5 form
White's Knight on e4.
16. c3 d2 17. Re2 Rd3 18. Qf1!
Although I didn't go off on all of the minor lines and sub
variations of this opening, you can see from the main line here that both
sides get some interesting play here and whomever knows this opening best is
the one who will win. White's last move prepares to put the Queen on g2 and
to bring the Queen's Rook over to d1.
... Qd5 19. Rd1 Ne5
For many years Black last two moves were considered to be
the equalizer here. These two moves were suggested by Frank J. Marshall. If
White were to play 20. Nf6 Black can get a perpetual check with 20... Qf3
21. Nxg8 Qxg4+ 22. Kh1 Qf3+ OR 22. Qg2 Qxe2.
20. Qg2! Nf3+ 21. Kf1 Be7 22. g5
Some have described the above position as messy. According to Andrew
Soltis, "White is beginning to consolidate and make threats
of Nf6 or g5-g6". I think that you can see why this is still one of my
favorite openings for White. However, there are many points in the opening
where Black can simply avoid the Max Lange Attack and transpose into another
variation of the Italian Game.
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by Mike Serovey all rights reserved.
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