Italian Game: all variations and ECO codes

187 named lines across 10 ECO codes (C50–C59). Source: the CC0-licensed lichess.org opening database.

The idea

The 187 named lines here mostly divide by how quickly the tension resolves: the quiet Giuoco Pianissimo keeps pieces on the board behind c3 and d3 for a slow maneuvering game, the Giuoco Piano proper pushes d4 to open the center early, and the Two Knights Defense (3...Nf6 instead of 3...Bc5) invites the sharpest tactics in the family, including lines where White grabs a pawn with Ng5 as early as move four.

The main line

Position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 (C50). Open this line on Lichess → · Italian Game on Lichess

How the main line scores at your rating

Real Lichess win rates for 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, playing as white: the family’s other variations are not separately tracked for win rate yet, main line only.

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Win/draw/loss rate by rating band
Rating bandGamesWhite / draw / BlackScore for white
1400-1600 7,440 White/draw/black: 50.8% / 3.8% / 45.4% 50.8% / 3.8% / 45.4% 52.7%
1600-1800 6,665 White/draw/black: 49.2% / 3.6% / 47.2% 49.2% / 3.6% / 47.2% 51.0%
1800-2000 4,500 White/draw/black: 48.9% / 4.6% / 46.6% 48.9% / 4.6% / 46.6% 51.1%
2000+ 2,391 White/draw/black: 48.7% / 5.0% / 46.3% 48.7% / 5.0% / 46.3% 51.2%

All 187 named variations

Every named line in the Italian Game family, from the CC0-licensed ECO classification: not separately tracked for win rate, but every ECO code and move sequence is real, sourced data.

Browse more

ECO Volume C: Open Games and the French Defense → · All ECO families → · Search and play every line in the interactive explorer →

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