Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C50), reached after 7 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black bishop — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Continue from this position

3 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

4…f5 2 lines
- C50 Dubois Variation
- C50 Lucchini Gambit
4…Nf6 2 lines
- C50 Canal Variation
- C50 Italian Four Knights Variation
4…Bc5 1 line
- C50 Normal

About this opening

Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C50. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 7 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Giuoco Pianissimo line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Bc5, 4.d3. From this position 3 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.