Chessy
Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation — White to play
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4, you reach a position where Black has already chosen a flexible and active setup. The engine is not claiming a huge crisis, but it does prefer Black a little here, so this is a good moment to learn the practical issues before they appear in your games. Use the drill below to feel out the position, spot the best reply, and punish the most common errors from Black.
Play the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What the engine wants here
Stockfish rates this -0.45, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse here. The good news is that the position is still very playable, so the key is not panic but accuracy. Black’s best move is Nxe4, and the engine’s suggested continuation is Nxe4 Nxe5 d5 Be2. That tells you Black is aiming for immediate central pressure rather than slow manoeuvring.
What the database says about this position
This exact position has been reached in 18,407,953 games on Lichess, so it is a very practical test case rather than a rare sideline. White scores 52.1%, draws 3.3%, and Black wins 44.6%. Those numbers do not mean the position is automatically easy for you, but they do show that White has plenty of real-world chances if you stay alert and keep developing with purpose.
Black’s main replies and what they mean
The most-played continuations show what Black players usually choose from here. Nc6 appears in 5,490,105 games, Nxe4 in 3,972,044 games, Bc5 in 3,937,838 games, d6 in 1,475,740 games, d5 in 1,179,527 games, and h6 in 937,623 games. Your drill should help you recognise which of these moves asks for the most care, and which ones can be met with calm development and good central play.
The mistakes to punish
Three of Black’s common choices are flagged as imperfect. Nc6 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns, with Nxe4 listed as better. Bc5 is a mistake and loses about 1.7 pawns, again with Nxe4 as better. d6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns, with Nxe4 as the stronger option. That is a useful warning for your games: when Black does not challenge the centre strongly enough, you may get a more comfortable game than the opening suggests.
Results across 18,407,953 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 5,490,105 | 51.4% |
| Nxe4 | 3,972,044 | 48.2% |
| Bc5 | 3,937,838 | 52.1% |
| d6 | 1,475,740 | 54.2% |
| d5 | 1,179,527 | 56.0% |
| h6 | 937,623 | 60.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation good for White?
It is playable, but the engine gives -0.45, which is a small edge for Black. You are slightly worse here, so the opening is not a forcing advantage for White. Still, the database score shows White gets practical chances if you handle the position well.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is Nxe4. The suggested continuation is Nxe4 Nxe5 d5 Be2, which shows Black using quick central pressure. In the drill, learn to recognise why this move matters so much.
Which Black moves are most common here?
The most-played continuations are Nc6, Nxe4, Bc5, d6, d5, and h6. Nc6 is the most common, with Nxe4 and Bc5 also appearing very often. These are the replies you are most likely to face in practice.
What should I watch out for as White?
You should be ready for Black’s central counterplay and avoid letting the position drift. The database and engine both show that Black has active resources here, especially with Nxe4. Use the drill to learn how to meet the common replies without losing your grip on the game.
How many games feature the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation?
Over 18 million Lichess games have reached the Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation position. White wins 52.1%, Black wins 44.6%, with 3.3% draws — based on real rated games.