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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C50 - Italian Game2144C51 - Italian Game: Evans Gambit157C52 - Evans Gambit111C53 - Italian Game: Bird's Attack1114C55 - 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
Morozevich,A vs Kramnik,V0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Svidler,P vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Morozevich,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Leko,P vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Adams,Mi vs Shirov,A0-1
WCh Candidates s/f 2007Notable
Needleman,G vs Grischuk,A0-1
WCC 2005Notable
Movsesian,S vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Zhang Pengxiang vs Karpov,An1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Zhang Pengxiang vs Karpov,An1-0
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Nakamura, Hikaru vs Tanrikulu, Secim Erhan1-0
Wch U12 1999Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Shirov, Alexei0-1
Linares 1998Notable
Morozevich, Alexander vs Gyimesi, Zoltan1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1997Notable
De Pender, Paul vs Grischuk, Alexander0-1
Wch U14 1996Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 5th 1996Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Aronov, L.1-0
Wch U10 1992Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Almasi, Zoltan1-0
Wch U16 1992Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Khalifman, Alexander1-0
Reggio Emilia9192 1992Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 30th 1981Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 30th 1981Notable