{"id":4803,"date":"2026-10-20T08:58:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/?p=4803"},"modified":"2026-10-20T08:58:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:58:34","slug":"best-italian-game-chess-books-opening-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/best-italian-game-chess-books-opening-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Italian Game Chess Books: Complete Opening Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background:#f7f4f0;border-left:4px solid #d9534f;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:22px 26px;margin:0 0 32px;\">\n  <p style=\"margin:0 0 12px;font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.7;color:#2b2b2b;\">The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) has a large literature, but few of the Italian books we assessed have independent reviews that support them on the Italian specifically.<\/p>\n  <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.7;color:#2b2b2b;\">This guide to the best Italian Game chess books recommends four titles: Emms&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/em><\/a> for beginners on either side, M&uuml;ller and Souleidis&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/em><\/a> for club players as White, Jones&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/em><\/a> for advanced players as White, and Ntirlis&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>Playing 1.e4 e5<\/em><\/a> for advanced players as Black.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Last updated October 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1144\" height=\"1146\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2026-10-20_13-55-32.png\" alt=\"Best Italian Game Chess Books: Complete Opening Guide\" class=\"wp-image-4808\" style=\"width:391px;height:auto\" title=\"position\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"background:#fdf8ec;border-left:4px solid #e0a800;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;margin:20px 0 28px;\">\n  <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.0rem;line-height:1.6;color:#4a4033;\"><b>A general note:<\/b> opening theory keeps moving, and the books recommended here were published between 2016 and 2021. They remain our recommendations, but check sharp main lines against a current database before relying on them in your games.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin:36px 0 18px;\">\n  <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#2f5d3a;background:#e2f0e4;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;\">Beginners &mdash; Both Sides<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Italian Game Chess Books for beginners: both sides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For a beginner on either side of the Italian, start with Emms&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\"><em>First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"max-width:820px;margin:0 auto 32px;background:#fbfaf8;border:1px solid #e7e4df;border-radius:14px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);overflow:hidden;\">\n \n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Book\",\n  \"name\": \"First Steps: 1 e4 e5\",\n  \"author\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"name\": \"John Emms\"\n    }\n  ],\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"Everyman Chess\"\n  },\n  \"datePublished\": \"2018\",\n  \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/EBook\",\n  \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n  \"genre\": \"Chess openings\",\n  \"about\": [\n    \"Italian Game\",\n    \"1.e4 e5\",\n    \"Chess openings for beginners\"\n  ],\n  \"description\": \"First Steps: 1 e4 e5 by John Emms (Everyman Chess) is a beginner's introduction to the 1.e4 e5 openings for either side, and the Italian is its largest block: an introductory chapter, a chapter on playing the Italian for both sides, and chapters on the Evans Gambit and the Two Knights Defense. No published review assesses its Italian chapters on their own.\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/first-steps-1-e4-e5-1684150606.webp\",\n  \"numberOfPages\": 304,\n  \"aggregateRating\": {\n    \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n    \"ratingValue\": \"5\",\n    \"bestRating\": \"5\",\n    \"ratingCount\": \"8\"\n  }\n}\n  <\/script>\n \n  <div style=\"padding:28px 32px 6px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#b14237;background:#f6e3e0;padding:6px 14px;border-radius:20px;\">Beginner &mdash; Both Sides<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n \n  <div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:32px;padding:16px 32px 32px;align-items:flex-start;\">\n    <div style=\"flex:1 1 180px;display:flex;justify-content:center;\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block;\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/first-steps-1-e4-e5-1684150606.webp\" alt=\"First Steps: 1 e4 e5 by John Emms (Everyman Chess) - Italian Game chess book cover\"\n             style=\"width:180px;height:auto;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);display:block;\">\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div style=\"flex:999 1 320px;\">\n      <h3 style=\"font-size:1.45rem;font-weight:700;color:#1c1c1c;line-height:1.25;margin:0 0 14px 0;padding:0;\">First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/h3>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:20px;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.55;color:#333;\">\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Author:<\/strong> John Emms<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> Everyman Chess<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Pages:<\/strong> 304<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Year:<\/strong> 2018<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Side:<\/strong> Both<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Level:<\/strong> Beginner<\/div>\n        <div><strong>Format:<\/strong> Interactive E-book (Forward Chess)<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:18px;font-size:.98rem;color:#8a6d00;\">&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733; <span style=\"color:#6a6a6a;\">Rated 5\/5 from 8 verified purchases on Forward Chess<\/span><\/div>\n \n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#b14237;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 24px;margin:0 12px 12px 0;\">Read sample<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#fff;background:#d9534f;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 30px;\">Buy<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\">First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/a> \u2014 John Emms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyman Chess, 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is an introduction to the 1.e4 e5 openings rather than an Italian specialist book, and the Italian is its largest block: an introductory chapter, a chapter on playing the Italian for both sides, and chapters on the Evans Gambit and the Two Knights Defense. In his preface, Emms addresses players &#8220;taking your very first steps in chess openings.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of October 2026 the book averages 4.8 stars from 59 Amazon ratings, and one reader writes: &#8220;The Italian game is the easiest, and chapter 1 and 2 have improved my game tremendously!&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background:#fdf8ec;border-left:4px solid #e0a800;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;margin:20px 0 28px;\">\n  <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.0rem;line-height:1.6;color:#4a4033;\"><b>Review record.<\/b> No published review assesses the Italian chapters on their own, so this pick rests on the book as a whole.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin:36px 0 18px;\">\n  <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1d5a6b;background:#ddeef3;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;\">White &mdash; Club &amp; Advanced<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Italian Game Chess Books for White<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Club players should start with M\u00fcller and Souleidis&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\"><em>Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/em><\/a>, a White repertoire built on the slow c2-c3 and d2-d3 set-up; advanced players should consider Jones&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\"><em>Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/em><\/a>, where the Italian opening is part of a full 1.e4 repertoire.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"max-width:820px;margin:0 auto 32px;background:#fbfaf8;border:1px solid #e7e4df;border-radius:14px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);overflow:hidden;\">\n \n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Book\",\n  \"name\": \"Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian\",\n  \"author\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"name\": \"Karsten M\u00fcller\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"name\": \"Georgios Souleidis\"\n    }\n  ],\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"New in Chess\"\n  },\n  \"datePublished\": \"2016\",\n  \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/EBook\",\n  \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n  \"genre\": \"Chess openings\",\n  \"about\": [\n    \"Italian Game\",\n    \"Giuoco Piano\",\n    \"Chess opening repertoire\"\n  ],\n  \"description\": \"Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian by Karsten M\u00fcller and Georgios Souleidis (New in Chess) is a White repertoire built on the slow c2-c3 and d2-d3 set-up rather than an early d2-d4. Reviewer Uwe Bekemann called it an excellent foundation for White players adding this Italian, placing it at the already-stronger club player.\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian-1684150606.webp\",\n  \"numberOfPages\": 272,\n  \"aggregateRating\": {\n    \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n    \"ratingValue\": \"4.9\",\n    \"bestRating\": \"5\",\n    \"ratingCount\": \"7\"\n  }\n}\n  <\/script>\n \n  <div style=\"padding:28px 32px 6px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#b14237;background:#f6e3e0;padding:6px 14px;border-radius:20px;\">Club &mdash; White<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n \n  <div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:32px;padding:16px 32px 32px;align-items:flex-start;\">\n    <div style=\"flex:1 1 180px;display:flex;justify-content:center;\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block;\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian-1684150606.webp\" alt=\"Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian by Karsten M\u00fcller, Georgios Souleidis (New in Chess) - Italian Game chess book cover\"\n             style=\"width:180px;height:auto;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);display:block;\">\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div style=\"flex:999 1 320px;\">\n      <h3 style=\"font-size:1.45rem;font-weight:700;color:#1c1c1c;line-height:1.25;margin:0 0 14px 0;padding:0;\">Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/h3>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:20px;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.55;color:#333;\">\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Author:<\/strong> Karsten M\u00fcller, Georgios Souleidis<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> New in Chess<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Pages:<\/strong> 272<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Year:<\/strong> 2016<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Side:<\/strong> White<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Level:<\/strong> Club<\/div>\n        <div><strong>Format:<\/strong> Interactive E-book (Forward Chess)<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:18px;font-size:.98rem;color:#8a6d00;\">&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733; <span style=\"color:#6a6a6a;\">Rated 4.9\/5 from 7 verified purchases on Forward Chess<\/span><\/div>\n \n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#b14237;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 24px;margin:0 12px 12px 0;\">Read sample<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#fff;background:#d9534f;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 30px;\">Buy<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\">Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/a> \u2014 Karsten M\u00fcller and Georgios Souleidis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>An Easy-to-Grasp Chess Opening for White.<\/em> New In Chess, 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A White repertoire built on the slow c2-c3 and d2-d3 set-up rather than an early d2-d4. Uwe Bekemann, reviewing the English edition on bekemann.de, judged it the repertoire book with &#8220;the most convincing concept&#8221; of those he had recently received, called its concept and execution &#8220;exemplary,&#8221; and called it &#8220;an excellent foundation&#8221; for White players adding this Italian opening (all translated from German). He places it at the already-stronger club player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reservation is about layout, not analysis: Bekemann regretted the lack of an index of variations, and on Amazon one reader found the layout of the lines hard to follow while another disliked the notation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"max-width:820px;margin:0 auto 32px;background:#fbfaf8;border:1px solid #e7e4df;border-radius:14px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);overflow:hidden;\">\n \n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Book\",\n  \"name\": \"Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2\",\n  \"author\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"name\": \"Gawain Jones\"\n    }\n  ],\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"Quality Chess\"\n  },\n  \"datePublished\": \"2021\",\n  \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/EBook\",\n  \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n  \"genre\": \"Chess openings\",\n  \"about\": [\n    \"Italian Game\",\n    \"1.e4 repertoire\",\n    \"Chess opening repertoire\"\n  ],\n  \"description\": \"Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2 by Gawain Jones (Quality Chess) is the second half of a complete 1.e4 repertoire, in which 3.Bc4 leads into two chapters, the Scotch Gambit and the Forcing Italian, aiming for a quick d2-d4. IM John Watson judged it best for experienced players or truly dedicated students.\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/coffeehouse-repertoire-1e4-volume-2-1684150606.webp\",\n  \"numberOfPages\": 568,\n  \"aggregateRating\": {\n    \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n    \"ratingValue\": \"4.8\",\n    \"bestRating\": \"5\",\n    \"ratingCount\": \"45\"\n  }\n}\n  <\/script>\n \n  <div style=\"padding:28px 32px 6px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#b14237;background:#f6e3e0;padding:6px 14px;border-radius:20px;\">Advanced &mdash; White<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n \n  <div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:32px;padding:16px 32px 32px;align-items:flex-start;\">\n    <div style=\"flex:1 1 180px;display:flex;justify-content:center;\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block;\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/coffeehouse-repertoire-1e4-volume-2-1684150606.webp\" alt=\"Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2 by Gawain Jones (Quality Chess) - Italian Game chess book cover\"\n             style=\"width:180px;height:auto;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);display:block;\">\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div style=\"flex:999 1 320px;\">\n      <h3 style=\"font-size:1.45rem;font-weight:700;color:#1c1c1c;line-height:1.25;margin:0 0 14px 0;padding:0;\">Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/h3>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:20px;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.55;color:#333;\">\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Author:<\/strong> Gawain Jones<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> Quality Chess<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Pages:<\/strong> 568<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Year:<\/strong> 2021<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Side:<\/strong> White<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Level:<\/strong> Advanced<\/div>\n        <div><strong>Format:<\/strong> Interactive E-book (Forward Chess)<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:18px;font-size:.98rem;color:#8a6d00;\">&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733; <span style=\"color:#6a6a6a;\">Rated 4.8\/5 from 45 verified purchases on Forward Chess<\/span><\/div>\n \n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#b14237;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 24px;margin:0 12px 12px 0;\">Read sample<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#fff;background:#d9534f;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 30px;\">Buy<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\">Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/a> \u2014 Gawain Jones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Quality Chess, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second half of a complete 1.e4 repertoire, so the Italian is one part among several: 3.Bc4 leads into two chapters, the Scotch Gambit (via 3\u2026Nf6 4.d4) and the Forcing Italian (mainly against 3\u2026Bc5). Jones meets 2\u2026Nc6 with 3.Bc4, but with what he calls &#8220;more aggressive intentions than in the usual d2-d3 lines,&#8221; aiming for a quick d2-d4. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reviewing it for Chess Life, IM John Watson wrote of the Italian lines that &#8220;the lengthiest lines end in positions with sufficient play for both sides, to the extent that they seem quite as practical as entering into one of the typical Ruy Lopez main lines.&#8221; On level, Watson judged it best for &#8220;experienced players or truly dedicated students,&#8221; though he added that &#8220;even developing players could use this book to fill out parts of their repertoires,&#8221; and CHESS magazine advised club players to stick to the book&#8217;s key ideas and main lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin:36px 0 18px;\">\n  <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5a3d6b;background:#efe3f3;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;\">Black &mdash; Advanced<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Italian Game Chess Books for Black<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For advanced players, Ntirlis&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\"><em>Playing 1.e4 e5<\/em><\/a>, which answers 3.Bc4 with the Two Knights Defense, is the one Black book recommended here.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background:#fdf8ec;border-left:4px solid #e0a800;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;margin:20px 0 28px;\">\n  <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.0rem;line-height:1.6;color:#4a4033;\"><b>Club-level Black players.<\/b> No book in this guide is recommended for Black at club level, though beginners can use Emms&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/em><\/a> above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"max-width:820px;margin:0 auto 32px;background:#fbfaf8;border:1px solid #e7e4df;border-radius:14px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);overflow:hidden;\">\n \n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Book\",\n  \"name\": \"Playing 1.e4 e5: A Classical Repertoire\",\n  \"author\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"name\": \"Nikolaos Ntirlis\"\n    }\n  ],\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"Quality Chess\"\n  },\n  \"datePublished\": \"2016\",\n  \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/EBook\",\n  \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n  \"genre\": \"Chess openings\",\n  \"about\": [\n    \"Italian Game\",\n    \"Two Knights Defense\",\n    \"1.e4 e5 repertoire for Black\"\n  ],\n  \"description\": \"Playing 1.e4 e5: A Classical Repertoire by Nikolaos Ntirlis (Quality Chess) is a complete 1...e5 repertoire in which the Italian gets two chapters, answering 3.Bc4 with the Two Knights Defense. GM David Smerdon called it thorough, high-quality and surprisingly easy to read, though he felt it too optimistic about Black's chances in the open-game chapters.\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/playing-1e4-e5-a-classical-repertoire-1684150606.webp\",\n  \"numberOfPages\": 384,\n  \"aggregateRating\": {\n    \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\n    \"ratingValue\": \"4.6\",\n    \"bestRating\": \"5\",\n    \"ratingCount\": \"36\"\n  }\n}\n  <\/script>\n \n  <div style=\"padding:28px 32px 6px;\">\n    <span style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#b14237;background:#f6e3e0;padding:6px 14px;border-radius:20px;\">Advanced &mdash; Black<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n \n  <div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:32px;padding:16px 32px 32px;align-items:flex-start;\">\n    <div style=\"flex:1 1 180px;display:flex;justify-content:center;\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block;\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/storage\/products\/playing-1e4-e5-a-classical-repertoire-1684150606.webp\" alt=\"Playing 1.e4 e5: A Classical Repertoire by Nikolaos Ntirlis (Quality Chess) - Italian Game chess book cover\"\n             style=\"width:180px;height:auto;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);display:block;\">\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div style=\"flex:999 1 320px;\">\n      <h3 style=\"font-size:1.45rem;font-weight:700;color:#1c1c1c;line-height:1.25;margin:0 0 14px 0;padding:0;\">Playing 1.e4 e5: A Classical Repertoire<\/h3>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:20px;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.55;color:#333;\">\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Author:<\/strong> Nikolaos Ntirlis<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> Quality Chess<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Pages:<\/strong> 384<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Year:<\/strong> 2016<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Side:<\/strong> Black<\/div>\n        <div style=\"margin-bottom:4px;\"><strong>Level:<\/strong> Advanced<\/div>\n        <div><strong>Format:<\/strong> Interactive E-book (Forward Chess)<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"margin-bottom:18px;font-size:.98rem;color:#8a6d00;\">&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733; <span style=\"color:#6a6a6a;\">Rated 4.6\/5 from 36 verified purchases on Forward Chess<\/span><\/div>\n \n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#b14237;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 24px;margin:0 12px 12px 0;\">Read sample<\/a>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block;text-decoration:none;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:600;color:#fff;background:#d9534f;border:1.5px solid #d9534f;border-radius:7px;padding:11px 30px;\">Buy<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\">Playing 1.e4 e5<\/a> \u2014 Nikolaos Ntirlis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>A Classical Repertoire.<\/em> Quality Chess, 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A complete 1\u2026e5 repertoire in which the Italian gets two chapters. Against 3.Bc4 it recommends 3\u2026Nf6, the Two Knights Defense, rather than 3\u2026Bc5. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chess.com\/blog\/smurfo\/book-review-playing-1e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In his review<\/a>, GM David Smerdon singled out Ntirlis&#8217;s answer to what the book calls the Improved Morphy Attack (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0), namely 5\u2026Nxe4 6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 Qxd5 8.Nc3 Qd7!?: after analyzing it himself, he found it &#8220;simpler and no worse than the main lines.&#8221; He called the whole book &#8220;thorough, high-quality and surprisingly easy to read&#8221; and gave it four stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same review carries a caution. In the open-game chapters, which include the Italian ones, Smerdon felt Ntirlis &#8220;is too optimistic about Black&#8217;s chances,&#8221; though he called this &#8220;not a big drawback&#8221; and advised reading the notes carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\" style=\"overflow-x:auto;margin:1.8em 0;\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.95rem;line-height:1.45;\">\n  <thead>\n    <tr style=\"background:#2f4f4a;color:#fff;text-align:left;\">\n      <th style=\"padding:13px 13px;width:36%;\">Book<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:13px 13px;width:10%;\">Side<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:13px 13px;width:34%;\">Italian coverage<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:13px 13px;width:12%;\">Level<\/th>\n      <th style=\"padding:13px 13px;width:8%;\">Year<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr style=\"background:#fff;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3;\">\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Emms, <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:400;\"><em>First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/em><\/a><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Both<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Italian, Evans Gambit, Two Knights within 1.e4 e5<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Beginner<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;white-space:nowrap;\">2018<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background:#f6f8f7;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3;\">\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">M&uuml;ller &amp; Souleidis, <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:400;\"><em>Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/em><\/a><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">White<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Slow Italian (c3 and d3)<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Club<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;white-space:nowrap;\">2016<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background:#fff;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3;\">\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Jones, <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:400;\"><em>Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/em><\/a><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">White<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">3.Bc4 with an early d2-d4, within a full 1.e4 repertoire<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Advanced<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;white-space:nowrap;\">2021<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr style=\"background:#f6f8f7;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3;\">\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Ntirlis, <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:400;\"><em>Playing 1.e4 e5<\/em><\/a><\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Black<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Two Knights (3&#8230;Nf6), within a full 1&#8230;e5 repertoire<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;\">Advanced<\/td>\n      <td style=\"padding:11px 13px;white-space:nowrap;\">2016<\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is the Italian Game?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The Italian Game is the opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. This guide recommends one beginner book for both sides, two books for White and one for Black.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is the best book on the Italian Game for White?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"For club players, M\u00fcller and Souleidis's Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian. For advanced players, Jones's Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2, where the Italian is part of a full 1.e4 repertoire.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What should Black read against the Italian?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"At advanced level, Ntirlis's Playing 1.e4 e5, which answers 3.Bc4 with the Two Knights. No book in this guide is recommended for Black at club level; beginners can use Emms's First Steps: 1 e4 e5, which covers both sides.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is there a good Italian book for beginners?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Emms's First Steps: 1 e4 e5. It is a general introduction to 1.e4 e5, but its Italian chapters together are its biggest section.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Why does this guide recommend so few books?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Several other dedicated Italian books exist, but we found too little independent review evidence for them, so we have not recommended them.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<div style=\"margin:1.8em 0;\">\n\n  <div style=\"background:#fdfaef;border-left:3px solid #d9b45a;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:18px 22px;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-size:1.13rem;font-weight:700;color:#2f4f4a;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 10px 0;padding:0;\">What is the Italian Game?<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">The Italian Game is the opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. This guide recommends one beginner book for both sides, two books for White and one for Black.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#fdfaef;border-left:3px solid #d9b45a;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:18px 22px;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-size:1.13rem;font-weight:700;color:#2f4f4a;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 10px 0;padding:0;\">What is the best book on the Italian Game for White?<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">For club players, M\u00fcller and Souleidis&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/em><\/a>. For advanced players, Jones&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/em><\/a>, where the Italian is part of a full 1.e4 repertoire.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#fdfaef;border-left:3px solid #d9b45a;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:18px 22px;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-size:1.13rem;font-weight:700;color:#2f4f4a;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 10px 0;padding:0;\">What should Black read against the Italian?<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">At advanced level, Ntirlis&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>Playing 1.e4 e5<\/em><\/a>, which answers 3.Bc4 with the Two Knights. No book in this guide is recommended for Black at club level; beginners can use Emms&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/em><\/a>, which covers both sides.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#fdfaef;border-left:3px solid #d9b45a;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:18px 22px;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-size:1.13rem;font-weight:700;color:#2f4f4a;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 10px 0;padding:0;\">Is there a good Italian book for beginners?<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">Emms&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\"><em>First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/em><\/a>. It is a general introduction to 1.e4 e5, but its Italian chapters together are its biggest section.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#fdfaef;border-left:3px solid #d9b45a;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:18px 22px;margin-bottom:18px;\">\n    <h3 style=\"font-size:1.13rem;font-weight:700;color:#2f4f4a;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 10px 0;padding:0;\">Why does this guide recommend so few books?<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:0;font-size:1.02rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">Several other dedicated Italian books exist, but we found too little independent review evidence for them, so we have not recommended them.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin:28px 0;\">\n  <p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;font-size:1.05rem;font-weight:700;color:#2f4f4a;\">More opening guides<\/p>\n  <ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;font-size:1.03rem;line-height:1.7;\">\n    <li style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/best-1-e4-repertoire-books-for-white-complete-opening-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#b14237;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\">Best 1.e4 repertoire books for White<\/a><\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background:#f0f0f0;border-radius:14px;padding:28px 26px;margin:28px 0;\">\n\n  <div style=\"background:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:22px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);\">\n    <h3 style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#2f5d3a;background:#e2f0e4;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;margin:0 0 16px;\">For beginners &mdash; both sides<\/h3>\n    <ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;font-size:1.03rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">\n      <li style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/first-steps1-e4-e5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#d9534f;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;\">First Steps: 1 e4 e5<\/a> by Emms &mdash; a general introduction to 1.e4 e5 for either side, whose Italian chapters together are its biggest section. No published review assesses those chapters on their own.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"background:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:22px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);\">\n    <h3 style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1d5a6b;background:#ddeef3;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;margin:0 0 16px;\">Playing the Italian as White<\/h3>\n    <ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;font-size:1.03rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">\n      <li style=\"margin-bottom:12px;\"><strong>Club:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/winning-with-the-slow-but-venomous-italian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#d9534f;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;\">Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian<\/a> by M&uuml;ller and Souleidis &mdash; a White repertoire built on the slow c2-c3 and d2-d3 set-up.<\/li>\n      <li style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"><strong>Advanced:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/coffeehouse-repertoire1.e4:-volume2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#d9534f;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;\">Coffeehouse Repertoire 1.e4 Volume 2<\/a> by Jones &mdash; 3.Bc4 with an early d2-d4, where the Italian is part of a full 1.e4 repertoire.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"background:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:22px;box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);\">\n    <h3 style=\"display:inline-block;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5a3d6b;background:#efe3f3;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;margin:0 0 16px;\">Facing the Italian as Black<\/h3>\n    <ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;font-size:1.03rem;line-height:1.65;color:#333;\">\n      <li style=\"margin-bottom:12px;\"><strong>Advanced:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/playing1.e4-e5--a-classical-repertoire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color:#d9534f;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;\">Playing 1.e4 e5<\/a> by Ntirlis &mdash; answers 3.Bc4 with the Two Knights Defense, within a full 1&#8230;e5 repertoire.<\/li>\n      <li style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"><strong>Club:<\/strong> no book in this guide is recommended for Black at club level.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) has a large literature, but few of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[27,80,64,69,102,101,77,18],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4803"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4816,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803\/revisions\/4816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}