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Italian Game

Intermediate
white repertoire·5 parts

One of the oldest openings. White develops the bishop to its most aggressive square, targeting f7 — the weakest square in Black's position.

Main idea

Castle, then play c3 and d4 to build a pawn centre.

Aim your pieces at f7 — Black's weakest square, guarded only by the king — with the bishop on c4, the queen behind it on b3, and a knight jumping into g5.

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Start

Key Strategic Ideas

First, the six ideas behind every Modern Italian line. Once they click, the lines feel logical instead of memorised.