Italian Gambit

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The Italian Gambit is a chess opening characterized by the moves

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bc4 Bc5

4. d4

It is often played as an alternative to the quiet and closed lines of the Giuoco Piano or Giuoco Pianissimo openings. Black may take with the pawn (a transposition to the Scotch Gambit, usually leading to the Max Lange Attack), the knight, which is considered weak, or with the bishop which is considered best.

Wikibooks has more about this subject:

Chess/Opening Theory

References

• Hooper, David and Kenneth Whyld (1996). The Oxford Companion To Chess, Oxford University. ISBN 0-19-280049-3.
• Acers, Jude and Laven, George (unknown). The Italian Gambit (and) A Guiding Repertoire for White = e4!, Trafford Publishing. ISBN 1-55369-604-2.