Chess opening · ECO C55

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense

The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6. It ranks #48 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6. White to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
  5. 3. Bc4White develops the light-squared bishop to c4.
  6. 3... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Ng5 is the most popular next move in every rating band.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Ng5 48%d3 29%Nc3 12%
1200–1399Ng5 49%d3 24%Nc3 14%
1400–1599Ng5 39%d3 25%Nc3 19%
1600–1799Ng5 36%d3 28%Nc3 17%
1800–1999Ng5 38%d3 27%Nc3 14%
2000 and upNg5 44%d3 26%O-O 13%

Related openings

Italian GameThe line this one grows fromItalian Game: Two Knights Defense, Knight AttackA variation of this line

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