How to Meet the Modern Italian Game!?

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SolaFide

Against 1.e4 I normally respond 1...e5.

I enjoy playing against just about every variation EXCEPT for the dreaded Modern Italian Game:

 

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 I have played both:

 

4...Bc5 & 4...Be7


HOWEVER...I never seem to get a good game. I've never found a book/video/article that really explained the ideas behind what Black is trying to accomplish.

 

Seems like White is the only one having all the fun and Black is just holding on for a draw.

 

I would really like to know a way of attacking the Modern Italian Game!?

 

Which move (4...Be7 or 4...Bc5) gives Black better fighting chances?!

 

Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks for any advice you give!

blumzovich

Perhaps you should study games by the strongest masters who have played the Black side.  My research is indicating that Johnny Hector is the strongest player who has most frequently played 4...Bc5.  But the list is longer for 4...Be7:

  • Malaniuk
  • Hebden
  • Romanishin
  • Geller

Contact me by message if you'd like me to recommend a way to research this online for free -- we're not supposed to mention competing websites in the forums, and I'm skating on thin ice as it is.

cjb21

The best continuation to fight for an advantage is 4...Be7

It gets into a good version of the Ruy Lopez, for black, where white has played d3 and black has already castled.

 

This loss of a tempo by the d pawn is usually why the italian is not very common at the top level.


SolaFide

Thanks "blumzovich" and "cjb21" for your responses. Great stuff!

PPS2

the probleam white dosent have to play 6.Re1 he can play a3