Italian Game

1. e4White claims the center with e4.
2. e5Black mirrors with e5, leading to an open game.
3. Nf3White develops the knight, attacking the e5 pawn.
4. Nc6Black defends e5 with Nc6.
5. Bc4The Italian. White develops the bishop to c4, aiming at f7 — the weakest pawn in Black's position at the start of the game.
6. Bc5The Giuoco Piano. Black mirrors with Bc5, an active developing move fighting for the d4 square.
7. c3White plays c3, preparing the thematic d4 pawn advance that will give White a strong center.
8. Nf6Black develops the knight to f6, counterattacking e4.
9. d4White strikes the center. This is the main point of c3.
10. exd4Black captures on d4 — if Black doesn't, White gets a very strong center for free.
11. cxd4White recaptures with the c-pawn, opening the c-file and creating a strong d4 pawn.
12. Bb4+Black checks with Bb4+, a key move — after Nc3, White has a discovered attack on d4 from the c4 bishop.
13. Nc3White blocks the check with Nc3, accepting the doubled pawn after ...Bxc3 for the bishop pair and central control.

A romantic gambit from the 19th century still played today. White sacrifices the b4 pawn for rapid development and a strong center. Kasparov famously revived the Evans Gambit against Anand in 1995, proving its practical value at the highest level.

1. e4White plays e4, seizing the center and opening diagonals for the bishops.
2. e5Black mirrors with e5, contesting the center directly in the classical manner.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3, attacking the e5 pawn and preparing the Italian Game.
4. Nc6Black defends e5 with Nc6, the most active defensive move.
5. Bc4The Italian bishop — Bc4 targets f7, the weakest pawn in Black's starting position.
6. Bc5Black mirrors with Bc5, the Giuoco Piano — an equally active developing move fighting for d4.
7. b4The Evans Gambit! White sacrifices the b4 pawn, offering it to gain time and open lines for a central pawn advance.
8. Bxb4Black accepts — the bishop captures on b4, grabbing the pawn. Declining is possible but concedes space.
9. c3White plays c3, threatening to win the bishop with d4 next. Black's bishop is now under attack.
10. Ba5Black retreats the bishop to a5, out of danger but on a passive square. The bishop is temporarily sidelined.
11. d4White plays d4, the Evans Gambit's point — a powerful central strike. White has a perfect pawn center now.
12. exd4Black captures exd4, forced to take or allow White a completely dominant center. After the capture, White's compensation is enormous.
13. O-OWhite castles, completing development and preparing to recapture on d4 with maximum piece activity. The initiative fully justifies the sacrificed pawn.

Black fights back immediately with ...Nf6 rather than mirroring. After 4.Ng5, White threatens f7 directly. Black sacrifices material with ...d5 and ...Na5 for active play. The positions are sharp and tactical.

1. e4White plays e4, seizing central space.
2. e5Black plays e5, mirroring the center.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3, attacking the e5 pawn.
4. Nc6Black defends with Nc6.
5. Bc4White's Italian bishop — Bc4 targets f7.
6. Nf6Black plays Nf6, the Two Knights Defense — counterattacking e4 rather than developing another piece passively.
7. Ng5White lunges with Ng5, directly threatening Nxf7 — a double attack on f7 that wins material if Black does nothing.
8. d5Black plays d5, the best response — a central counterattack that immediately opens lines and challenges White's bishop.
9. exd5White captures exd5, accepting the central pawn. Now Ng5 is temporarily undefended.
10. Na5Black plays Na5, attacking the c4 bishop and sidestepping the d5 pawn. This is the key counterplay — Black ignores the knight on g5 and goes after the bishop.
11. Bb5+White checks with Bb5+, a clever intermezzo. Rather than running away, White creates an additional threat.
12. c6Black must block with c6, wasting a tempo but undermining the d5 pawn.
13. dxc6White captures dxc6, taking the pawn.
14. bxc6Black recaptures bxc6, accepting doubled pawns. Black has weaknesses but gains active piece play and an open b-file to compensate.

Black plays ...Be7 instead of ...Bc5, a solid but somewhat passive reply. The Hungarian avoids the sharp Giuoco Piano theory. Black builds a solid defensive setup and waits for White to overextend.

1. e4White plays e4, claiming the center.
2. e5Black mirrors with e5.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3, attacking the e5 pawn.
4. Nc6Black defends e5 with Nc6.
5. Bc4White plays Bc4, the Italian bishop aiming at f7.
6. Be7Black plays Be7, the Hungarian Defense — a solid, modest reply. Unlike Bc5, this does not contest d4 or invite sharp play. Black aims for a sturdy defensive setup.
7. d4White plays d4, striking the center — the natural reaction to Black's passive setup. White tries to gain a space advantage.
8. d6Black plays d6, supporting e5 and preparing to complete development. The pawn structure is solid but somewhat passive.
9. Nc3White develops Nc3, reinforcing the center and adding pressure to d5.
10. Nf6Black develops Nf6, attacking e4 and completing kingside piece development.
11. O-OWhite castles, completing kingside development and connecting the rooks.
12. O-OBlack castles, also completing development. The position is solid for Black but White has more space and active piece play.
13. Re1White plays Re1, overprotecting e4 and preparing for the central battle. With all pieces developed, White can now push d5 or open the center at the right moment.