Italian Gambit

The Italian Gambit is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Bc5

4. d4

Italian Gambit

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Moves	1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d4
ECO	C50
Parent	Giuoco Piano

It is often played as an alternative to the quiet and closed lines of the Giuoco Piano or Giuoco Pianissimo openings. Black can:

• take with the pawn (4...exd4), a transposition to the Scotch Gambit;
• take with the knight (4...Nxd4), which is considered weak since it allows 5.Nxe5, attacking f7 with the bishop and knight; or
• take with the bishop (4...Bxd4), which is considered best.

4...Bxd4

After 4...Bxd4 5.Nxd4 Nxd4:

• 6.0-0, favoured by George Koltanowski, transposes to the related gambit line 4.0-0 Nf6 5.d4 following 6...Nf6, when 7.f4 and 7.Bg5 are the main possibilities for White; however, 6...d6!? is an independent alternative for Black.
• 6.Be3, dubbed the Miami Variation by Jude Acers and George Laven, is a way for White to deviate that probably suffices for dynamic equality.
• 6.f4?! is considered dubious due to 6...d6.

See also

• Italian Game
• List of chess openings
• List of chess openings named after places