Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3

ECO C54

The Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo is a chess opening line in the Italian Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3.

It is catalogued under code C54 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d3 is chosen by White on move 5.

6 named continuations branch from this position, including the Albin Variation and the Main Line.

The Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo is a line of the Italian Game. The Italian Game is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. Read the complete Italian Game guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Named variations

• Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Albin Variation — ECO C54
• Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, Main Line — ECO C54
• Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with a4 a5 — ECO C54
• Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with a5 — ECO C54
• Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with a6 — ECO C54
• Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with h6 — ECO C54

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Italian 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.