C53
Italian Game: Bird's Attack
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 Game2144C51 - Italian Game: Evans Gambit157C52 - Italian Game: Evans Gambit110C54 - 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
Firouzja,Alireza vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
15th London Classic Elite • 2025★ Notable
So,W vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
12th Sinquefield Cup TB • 2025★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Le,Quang Liem1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
So,W vs Le,Quang Liem1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Caruana,F1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs So,W1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
So,W vs Caruana,F1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Radjabov,T0-1
Tata Steel IND Blitz Open • 2023★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Navara,D1-0
56th Biel GM Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Duda,J vs Caruana,F1-0
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Anand,V vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
10th Norway Chess 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
8th Sinquefield Cup 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
8th Sinquefield Cup 2021 • 2021★ Notable