Four Knights Game: Italian Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3

ECO C47

The Four Knights Game: Italian Variation is a chess opening line in the Four Knights Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3.

It is catalogued under code C47 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nc3 is chosen by White on move 4.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Noa Gambit.

Named variations

• Four Knights Game: Italian Variation, Noa Gambit — ECO C47

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Fried Liver Attack course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.