What is an Italian game in chess? About the debut repertoire
Chess is exactly the game that combines science, art and sport. One of the main components of a successful game is its competent start. The outcome of the entire game depends on the player’s first steps, on his ability to mobilize all his strength at the very start. In this article we invite you to consider several of the most popular openings in chess.
In fact, the opening itself is already a whole chess science. There are many types of opening, it has specific goals and criteria: You need to ensure the safety of the king, counteract the opponent, control the situation on the board, and also develop a strategy for the next and final stage of the game.
Italian chess game - a quiet start
The Italian game is one of the oldest chess openings. The name can be translated as “quiet beginning.” This beginning has three main paths of development. Each of them is based on the fact that White strengthens the center with pawns. But over time, a successful strategy was found for the black pieces, which made it possible to successfully resist.
Start moves:
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Kg1-f3 Kb8-c6
3. Cf1-c4 Cf8-c5.
Main directions of game development:
1) There is no activity in the center, white pieces are trying to strengthen the center. 4. d2-d3 d7-d65. Kb1-c3 Kg8-f66. 0-0 0-0. A reliable continuation, although it does not pose impossible tasks for the opponent.
2) The center is captured by White. 4. c2-c3 Kg8-f6! Black is moving Kf6 attack the pawn e4.5. d2-d4 e5:d46. c3:d4 Cc5-b4+ The bishop leaves the field after the attack without wasting time. 7. Cc1-d2 Cb4:d2+ 8. Kb1:d2 d7-d5! Black managed to eliminate White's advantage in the center and equalize his chances.
3) The third option is a gambit. As we see, after the move 4. c2-c3, at competent game for black, the opponent does not have time to strengthen the position in the center. In the 19th century, it was invented to sacrifice a pawn 4. b2-b4. 4. b2-b4 Cc5:b4 Many chess gurus believe that the best way to continue the game is to accept the sacrifice. If Black rejects it, then White will have not only a pawn, but also the initiative. 5. c2-c3 accepting the sacrifice allowed White to capture the center in the gained time.
Spanish part – debut of Ruy Lopez
One of the most common is the Spanish party. It is believed to have been invented by Rui Lopez, one of the first masters of modern chess. An abundance of complex and varied schemes - here key feature Spanish party. Such outstanding chess players as W. Steinz, K. Janisch, S. Furman, A. Karpov, G. Kasparov and many others analyzed and contributed to the development of the theory of this opening.
First moves:
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Kg1-f3 Kb8-c6
3. Cf1-b5.
The development of events provides for a large number of systems without main moves, as well as rare systems.
Scottish Party – correspondence Edinburgh – London
In modern tournament practice you can often find the Scottish game. Garry Kasparov used this game twice in the tournament against Anatoly Karpov. This opening gained fame in the correspondence game of 1824. Although it should be noted that the first mention of this opening was a century earlier. The main line of the strategy is the early movement of pieces to the center and a lively fight there.
Start moves:
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Kg1-f3 Kb8-c6
3. d2-d4.
Blacks have equal opportunities in the development of events. Main options:
3. …e5:d4- with other continuations, White retains the initiative.
4. Kf3:d4- main continuation.
4. …Qd8-h4- Steinitz system
4. …Kc6:d4. 5. Qd1:d4 d7-d6 6. Cf1-d3- Ghulam Kassim variant
4. …Cf8-b4+
4. …Bf8-c5
4. …Kg8-f6- Schmidt's version
5. Kd4:c6 b7:c6
6. e4-e5- Mises Variation
6. Kb1-d2- Tartakower's variant
4. Bf1-c4- Scottish Gambit.
4. c2-c3- Goering Gambit.
4. Bf1:b5- Relfson Gambit
3. …Nc6:d4- Lolly Option
4. Kf3:е5 Nd4-e6 5. Cf1-c4 c7-c6 6. 0-0 Kg8-f6 7. Ke5:f7- Cochran's variant
Russian Party - defense of Petrov
The parade of popular chess openings ends with the Russian game, which is deservedly included in the repertoire of leading chess professionals of our time. The essence of this opening is that the e4 pawn goes to an immediate counterattack. In most cases, superiority can be maintained until the end of the game. True, it is worth noting that Lately Many interesting solutions have been found for black pieces that can complicate the game.
Starts with the moves:
1. e2- e4 e7- e5
2. Kg1- f3 Kg8- f6.
Then there are two main options for White:
3.d2-d4(Steinitz system)
3…e5:d4 4. e4-e5TOf6-e4 5.Fd1:d4 d7-d5 6. e5:d6 Ke4:d6
3…Nf6:e4
3. Kf3:e5- main option: 3…d7-d6 4. Ke5-f3 (4.Ke5:f7?!- Cochran Gambit) 4…Kf6:e4.
There are many legendary games and tournaments that have been studied for decades and become the basis for analysis and development of theories, attacks and counterattacks.
Interesting games of world chess champions
For example, May 11, 1997 is a very important date in the history of chess, a turning point. It was on this day, for the first time in the world, that one of the strongest chess players on the planet lost to a computer. Garry Kasparov lost this match to the DeepBlue machine with a score of 3.5:2.5. The opening “Defense of Caro-Kann” was chosen, but on this day luck was not on the man’s side.
And in 1851, a game took place in London that went down in history as the “Immortal Party.” It was unanimously recognized as the highest example of “romantic” chess. Adolf Andersen and Lionel Kieseritzky fought in this game, the game was started by the King's Gambit. Gambit play is one of the distinctive features of the Italian school.
There is an interesting historical fact, the main character of which is Napoleon. Everyone knows that he was an excellent tactician. In history, he is credited with three games of chess. The last one, according to historians, he played on the island of St. Helena in 1818, while in exile. His opponent was General Bertrand. Napoleon chose the Scottish game as his opening. Black managed to gain a material advantage over his opponent a couple of times during the game. But, having thought through all the moves in advance, Napoleon won a beautiful and logical victory. It is possible that this was his best chess game.
Have you studied the opening? Practice your new knowledge online ->
Beginning chess players are often intimidated by the variety of chess openings. Dozens of titles, hundreds of options, thousands of sequels... How to navigate this ocean chess moves? Is it really necessary to study all existing books on chess openings in order to play an opening correctly?
Of course not. Back at the end of the 19th century. future champion world Emanuel Lasker wrote the book "Common Sense in Chess". E. Lasker wrote strictly and clearly about the most complex things, arguing his point of view not so much with specific options, but with logical conclusions based on a generalization of the rich experience of chess combat. In particular, Lasker advised beginning chess players to limit themselves to a few opening systems. Today's chess pedagogy adheres to the same opinion. Beginners are advised to choose 1-2 openings for white and the same number for black, study their basic ideas and boldly apply them in practical game. In the future, the opening repertoire can be gradually expanded.
Which openings should you prefer? There are no strict recipes here, but it is generally accepted that it is more useful for beginners to play open openings. Many outstanding masters said that every chess player striving for improvement should pay attention to the history of chess in his development and become familiar with the evolution of chess ideas. And the story chess opening began with the development of open opening systems, when player pieces immediately enter the battle. That is why at first it is recommended to play, for example, the Italian game and the Evans Gambit, the Scottish game and Queen's Gambit. Over time, the two knight defense can be included in the opening repertoire, Spanish party, closed and half-open openings, etc.
How to study opening?
Let's assume that the choice of a specific opening has already been made. Let's say a beginner liked the Italian game. But how to study it? First of all, you need to take the opening reference book and look at the main variations. But try to understand the main idea of the game of white and black in this opening. For the Italian party, in particular, this will be White's struggle to take control of the central squares and attack on the king's side; Black's counterplay should consist of creating strong positions in the center, strengthening the security of his king and gradually neutralizing the opponent's initiative.
These general theses must be illustrated by specific parties. Games are usually taken from textbooks, tournament books, and chess magazines. For beginners, there is no need to stock up on a large selection of examples.
A few typical games from the opening manual are enough to understand the idea of the main variations. Then you need to play these variations yourself, write down and analyze your mistakes, analyze your games with a stronger chess player.
In the process of such creative work, each chess player usually comes up with his own continuations in the main or secondary variations, and often finds original ways. After all, chess is inexhaustible and each position can contain a variety of ideas. This is how the opening repertoire of chess players is created and gradually expanded. Now let’s look at everything that has been said using an example.
Italian party. Ideas, plans, options
The opening theory in many ways began with the Italian game: strategic ideas, typical plans, tactical techniques are quite simple to explain and easy to understand.
Let's look at one of the games of the outstanding Russian chess player M.I. Chigorin, in which he demonstrated a successful strategy for fighting in the Italian game.
Knorre - Chigorin
1.e4 e5 2.Kf3 Kc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.0—0
In ancient Italian manuals this option was called " the quietest game". White simply develops his pieces and is not active. This strategy does not pose any problems for Black.
4...d6 5.d3 Kf6 6.Cg5 h6 7.Ch4?
"Serene" development rarely brings good results. It was necessary to change to f6 or retreat to e3. The position of the bishop on h4 gives Black the most important tempo to organize an attack on the white king.
7...g5! 8.Cg3 h5!
Black thought of a great combination based on the fact that the white king had determined his position too early.
Knorre goes for the main line, he should answer 9.h4 and try to repel the attack of the black pieces (9...Cg4 10...Qd7 11...0—0—0, etc.)
9...h4! 10.K:f7.
10...hg! Black plays for checkmate.
11.K:d8. If 11.K:h8, then 11...Qe7.
11...Cg4! 12.Qd2 Kd4! Threatens mate in two moves: 13...Ne2+, 14...R:h2X
13.Ks3 Kf3+! Graceful finale!
14.gf C:f3 White resigned because there is no protection against checkmate.
Here is a game that illustrates White's capabilities.
Schiffers - Harmonist
1.e4 e5 2.Kf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3
White begins the fight to capture the center. This is the most correct strategy.
As practice has shown, this is the strongest move based on the idea of a center counterattack.
Passive defense is much worse, for example: 4...d6 5.d4 ed 6.cd Cb6 7.Kc3 Kf6 8.0—0 0—0 9.Cb3 Cg4 10.Be3 Re8 11.Qd3 Ch5 12.Rae1 Cg6 13.Cg5 h6 14.Ch4 Ch5 15.Kd5 g5. 16.K:g5 K:d5 17.ed hg 18.dc gh 19.cb Rb8 20.Qf5, and further struggle is useless.
5.d4 ed 6.cd Cb4+ 7.Cd2
This is an attempt to achieve an advantage without resorting to strong means. The continuation of 7.KsZ, leading to a gambit game, will be considered in the next game.
7...C:d2 8.Kb:d2 d5
8...K:e4 is unprofitable because of 9.d5! K:d2 10.Q:d2 Ne7 11.d6! cd 12.0—0 with positional advantage.
9.ed K:d5
The resulting position is regarded as approximately equal. White has the best piece development, but Black has no weaknesses.
10.FbZ Kse7
TO difficult game led 10...Ka5 11.Qa4+ Nc6! 12.Bb5 0—0. On the contrary, a hasty check 10...Fe7+? would have led to Black losing a piece, since after 11.Kpf1! threatens both 12.Re1 and 12.C:d5.)
11.0—0 0—0 12.Лfe1 с6
Later about this position Em. Lasker wrote that “White has a certain advantage thanks to the d4 pawn.” Nevertheless, with a clear defense, Black should even the chances.
13.a4 Fs7
14.Las1. Now the threat is 15.C:d5
14... Kf4 15.Kg5 Keg6
16.Re8!
The poor placement of the black pieces allowed E. Schiffers to start a forced combination.
19.Kphl K:c1 20.Kf7+ Kpg8 21.Kh6++ Kpf8 22.Qg8+ Kpe7 23.C:g6 hg 24.Q:g7+ Kpd8 25.Qf8+ Kpd7 26.Ke4! Crowns White's attack.
26...Qd8 27.Qd6+ Kpe8 28.Kf6+. The blacks surrendered.
The Italian game is also found in modern tournaments. Here is one of the games of the famous Hungarian grandmaster L. Portis.
The Italian game is one of the oldest openings in chess. From this video you will learn what moves are made there in order. You will also learn the main pitfalls found in this option. Over 400 years, a huge theory has accumulated, but the main directions are three options: “the quietest Italian” and the move “c3”. In this video, the main focus is on the last move, which is the most important way for White to fight for an advantage. Overall this video is just general review Italian game, intended for beginner chess players. For a more complete study of this opening, we recommend reading the article below.
The Italian game is an opening that appears on the board after the following moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5. Main sequels:
- d3 – “The quietest Italian”
- с3-d4
- b4 – Evans Gambit
For a long time the move “4. c3" preceded an immediate attack in the center with the move "5. d4". However, with the development of the theory, such a plan gave way to “d3” either immediately on the 4th move, or on the 5th after “4. c3".
Let us consider the main theoretical lines.
The quietest Italian
The quietest Italian is a modern version of the Italian party. This option is extremely positional in nature.
Option "4. c3 5.d3"
The order of moves in this example is not strict.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 (Now Black is attacking e4, so White defends with the move) 5. d3 (Black, in turn, reinforces the pawn on e5) d6 (The sides make castling) 6. O-O O-O (A preventive move follows, aimed at ensuring that a possible future advancement of the pawn to d5 or b5 passed without pace. Also, in the future, White can place the bishop on c2) 7. Bb3 (Black places the pawn on) a6 (to arrange a comfortable position for his bishop on a7) 8. Nbd2 (White develops his second knight, which in the future with a high probability through f1 will be on g3) Ba7 9. h3 (This move is aimed at preventing the black light-squared bishop from positioning itself on g4 and tie the horse to f3, Black follows White's example and places the pawn on) h6 (Reinforcing the pawn on e4, White simultaneously vacates the square f1 for his knight) 10. Re1 (Offering an exchange, Black thus develops the last minor piece) Be6 11. Nf1 (After) Re8 ([%cal Gb3e6,Gb3c2,Gc1e3,Gf1g3] White has 4 main ideas: one of them is exchange for e6) 12. Bxe6 (after which, White has a long-term plan to move the knight from f3 on h4 and further on f5, such a knight will become a very unpleasant piece;) ((translate the light-squared bishop to c2 and start opening the center) 12. Bc2 (in this case, Black should open the center first with the first move) d5) ((develop the dark-squared bishop on e3) 12. Be3 (and exchange the strong black bishop) Bxe3) ((transfer the knight from f1 on g3) 12. Ng3 (Black can answer in the center again with the move) d5) *
Each of these ideas can be implemented in one order or another.
Option “4.d3 5.TOc3»
An example similar to the previous one. The difference is that the field c3 in the variant under consideration, the knight occupies.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 (After the move) 4. d3 (an extremely reliable position for White appears on the board. Black responds) Nf6 (Now White has a choice: play) 5. Nc3 (or 5. c3 which will lead to the option already discussed above. If White leads to c3 knight instead of a pawn, then most likely follows) 5... d6 ((Also possible) 5... h6 (without letting the dark-squared bishop g5.)) ((Castling is also possible) 5... O-O([%cal Gc1g5,Ge1g1])) 6. Bg5(Pinning the knight before Black castling may seem premature, but it is not without meaning, in view of the next option) ((Conclusion elephant on e3 looks good too) 6. Be3 Bb6 (6... Bxe3 7. fxe3 Na5 8. Bb3 c6) 7. Qd2 Be6([%cal Gc4b3,Gc4b5])) 6... h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. c3 Ne7([%cal Gd5e3,Gd3d4]) *
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Option “4.c3 5. d4"
This option is more specific than the previous ones. Currently, it is not used at the grandmaster level, but it is absolutely correct and may be of interest to chess players inclined to more active play.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 (Play c d4 more specific. This move is aimed at immediately clarifying the position of the sides in the center) 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 ((With the exception of this option) 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6) 6... Bb4+ (This continuation is more calm:) 7. Bd2 ((In contrast to) 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O (After) Bxc3 ((If Black decides to c3 to beat with a knight, then you should) 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Qb3 (And this position is in White’s favor. Moreover, Black will need accurate play so as not to lose right away) d5 11. Bxd5 O-O 12. Bxf7+ Rxf7 13. Ng5 Be6 14. Qxc3) 9. d5 ([%cal Gc3f6,Gc6e5] on the board — Meller's attack full of traps. The arrows show 2 main continuations. Modern theory interprets this line as no problem for Black, but only if he plays accurately. If Black previously captured the bishop on c3, then they must be prepared for Meller's attack.)) 7... Bxd2+ ((After taking on e4 White should play as follows:) 7... Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Qxb4 Re8 12. O-O c6 13. Nc3) 8. Nbxd2 Nxe4 9. Nxe4 d5 10. Bxd5 Qxd5 11. O-O*
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