the opening's classical main line. It has been extensively analyzed for more than 300 years.

In the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, the Italian Game is assigned ten codes: C50 covers Black's third move alternatives as well as White's fourth move alternatives after 3...Bc5, C51-C52 covers 3...Bc5 4.b4 (the Evans Gambit), C53-C54 covers 3...Bc5 4.c3 (the main line of the Giuoco Piano), and C55-C59 covers