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Chess Moment · Openings

Italian Game: castle early, guard e4, prepare d4

The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) on real positions: castle before the centre opens, guard e4 without the fork trick, and prepare d4 with c3.

3 lessons · 16 min · You play White

The moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

The lessons

Give your king a home

A king on e1 is fine while the centre is closed and a target the moment it opens.

6 min · 7 steps

Notice the knight’s threat

When …Nf6 hits e4, guard it, but check the guard: Nc3 walks into …Nxe4! Nxe4 d5.

5 min · 7 steps

Prepare before you push

A centre push is only as good as the pawn that recaptures behind it.

5 min · 7 steps

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