Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4

= Italian Game =

3. Bc4
The Italian Game is very popular and one of the oldest openings in chess. White develops the bishop to a good square where it controls the centre and targets f7. This opening is very easy to study and one of the best choices for beginners. Black has a few responses here, but the most played are 3. Nf6, the Two Knights Defense, which ironically can lead to rather sharp lines, and 3. Bc5, the Giuoco Piano, which focuses on quiet play and developing pieces, though the Evans Gambit can subvert that.

Theory table
'''1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4'''

Statistics
Estimated next move popularity Nf6 56%, Bc5 38%, Be7 3%, d6 2%, all else less than 1%