It's time to learn another opening. The ITALIAN GAME. A very popular opening, especially with kids, and rightly so. Learning this opening will help you win more games, so come on in! |
Black's usual, and best, reply is Ng8-f6, to THREATEN the Pawn on e4. White can play safe with d2-d3, but it's more exciting to advance the Pawn two squares, giving this position. |
First, suppose Black retreats his Bishop: Bc5-b6.
White grabs a pawn - d4xe5, and Black does the same thing - Nf6xe4. What do you think White should play next? |
...reaching this position. White has a strong move in this position: can you find it? |
White must decide how to get out of check. He has two main options, a safe choice, and an exciting, but risky choice. Let's start with the safe choice, which is Bc1-d2. |
After Bc1-d2, Black usually chooses Bb4xd2+, giving this position. How do you think White should recapture?
Nb1xd2
Qd1xd2
Ke1xd2 Nf3xd2 |
Now Black has to make a decision. What should he do about those center pawns?
Nc6xd4
Nf6xe4
0-0 d7-d5 |
Here's the position, with White to move.
He starts with an EXPLOSION ON f7 OK, tell me the move. |
I hope you remembered this from the last lesson! Now White's got the King out, what does he do? |
Can you propose a move for White here? |
If you found the move, well played! But instead of Ne4xc3 Black should have played d7-d5, when he's a pawn ahead. |
What move did we play for White in this position? |
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