How to play the Italian Game
The Italian game is one of the most common openings for beginners. It's even good enough to be played at the Grandmaster level. It is a e4 opening. The line goes 1. e4 e5. 2 Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. The bishop move puts pressure on f7. The opening can now transpose into some other things, such as the Giuoco Piano Game, with 3. ... Bc5
The Fried-Liver Attack
The Fried Liver attack is why most people play the Italian. It starts after 3 ... Nf3
You will the play Ng5, threatening Nxf7, forking the Rook and Queen. They usually play d5, blocking the bishop. exd5. Now the best move for them Na5.
If they play Nxd5, you will play Nxf7. Kxf7, the Qf3+, Forking the king and knight. They can't play Kg8, because after Bxd5+ Qxd5 Qxd5 Be6 Qxe6 is checkmate! They will play Ke6. The knight is still pinned to the king! Nc3 wins back the knight.
