Italian Game: Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Modern Line

Italian Game: Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Modern Line is a gambit, classified under ECO code C54 within the Open Games family. As with all gambits, one side sacrifices material early — usually a pawn — in exchange for development, open lines, or initiative.

The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.

The line arises from 12 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5.

It is a variation of Italian Game: Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Modern Line, which itself descends from the root opening King's Pawn Game.

It continues primarily into one named line, Italian Game: Classical Variation, Greco Gambit, Anderssen Variation.

Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.