Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with a4 a5

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.a4 a5

ECO C54

The Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with a4 a5 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 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.a4 a5.

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

The defining move a5 is chosen by Black on move 7.

The Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo, with a4 a5 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.

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.