Chess Openings Lab
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Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation

The Italian Variation of the Petrov is 3.Bc4, developing the bishop toward f7 instead of fighting over e5. White invites play like a Bishop's Opening, while Black can grab the e4 pawn with 3...Nxe4 and strike in the center with ...d5.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4
ECO
C42
Engine
−0.59 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
13,616 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 3...Nxe4, gambit the pawn with Nc3, the Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit, to speed up development.
  • The calmer 4.d3 Nc5 5.Nc3 c6 6.Nxe5 regains the pawn but leaves Black a strong ...d5 center.
  • If Black plays 3...Nc6, go for quiet Italian play with d3, c3, O-O and Re1.
  • Keep the bishop on b3 once ...d5 comes, so it still watches f7 and d5.

Black

  • Take with 3...Nxe4. The knight is safe and ...d5 next hits the c4 bishop with tempo.
  • After 4.d3 retreat ...Nc5 and follow with ...c6 and ...d5 to build a big center.
  • The sharp 3...d5 4.exd5 e4 kicks the f3 knight and gives Black easy development.
  • 3...Nc6 is solid and leads to normal Italian structures after ...Bc5 and ...d6.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black takes on e4, the main fight is over the center. Black builds ...c6 and ...d5, develops with ...Bd6 and castles, aiming to use the extra central pawn. White plays Bb3, O-O and Re1 and hopes to pressure e5 or d5 before Black is set. In the quiet 3...Nc6 lines, both sides maneuver: White with c3, Re1 and Nbd2, Black with ...Bc5, ...a5 and ...d6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.59: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.59 3...Nxe4 4.d3 Nc5 5.Nc3 c6 6.Nxe5
  2. −0.15 3...d5 4.exd5 e4 5.Nd4 Bg4 6.f3
  3. +0.07 3...Nc6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 a5 6.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

13,616 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.4%.

under 120054.0%
1200–159954.7%
1600–199951.0%
2000 and up47.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, take on e4 with the knight. Do not fear Bxf7+ ideas: the king walk costs White more than it gains if you meet it calmly. After d3, retreat to c5 and get ...d5 in. If you prefer quiet play, 3...Nc6 transposes to safe Italian positions.

Questions

What are the moves of the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation?

The Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4. Its ECO code is C42.

Is the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.59 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 13,616 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.4%. A playable surprise for White in fast games, but Black gets an easy game by grabbing e4 and building a pawn center.

What is the main idea of the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation?

White develops the bishop to c4 and lets Black take the e4 pawn. Black's best answer is 3...Nxe4 followed by ...d5, gaining a strong center, while White hopes faster development compensates.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe4, with d5 and Nc6 close behind. 3...Nxe4 takes a pawn, and Black can follow with ...d5 to gain time against the c4 bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.