Italian Game and Fried Liver
Beginner
New to the Italian? Start here with the basics and the Fried Liver attack.
Bosburp's White Repertoire Recommendations
30 studies · Curated by Bosburp
These are my recommendations for building a White repertoire. I love aggressive, tactical openings, but I've included some quieter options too. Pick a main opening you enjoy, then choose what to play against each of Black's defences.
The levels are my rough guide to who each study suits, not strict rating cutoffs. These are my White recommendations; see the Black collection for the other side of your repertoire.
Original studies belong to their credited creators and open on Lichess.
Choose your main opening
Italian Game: in depth
Beginner+
If you want to go deeper into the Italian, this is a really thorough guide. A sound choice from beginner level onwards.
Scotch Gambit
Intermediate+
Aggressive yet sound. I'd recommend the Scotch Gambit if you want active pieces and attacking chances right from the opening.
King's Gambit
Intermediate+
Hyper-aggressive and very tactical. More risk, but plenty of chances to make things difficult for your opponent.
Vienna Game
Intermediate+
Sound, trappy and very attacking. A great option if that is the kind of game you enjoy.
Bird Opening
Intermediate+
Rare, aggressive and relatively low on theory. I'd consider the Bird if you want something different without learning mountains of lines.
Bird Opening: further study
Intermediate+
Another Bird study I'd include if you decide to build your repertoire around 1.f4.
Bird Opening: additional ideas
Intermediate+
One more Bird recommendation to explore alongside the other two.
Bishop's Opening
Intermediate+
Very aggressive, full of traps and incredibly fun. One to look at if you enjoy attacking chess.
Italian Game with the Evans Gambit
Intermediate+
Want a sharper Italian? Try the Evans Gambit. This is my recommendation for a more aggressive approach.
Queen's Gambit
Late intermediate+; recommended for advanced players
More positional, slower and very sound. I'd especially recommend this to advanced players, or late intermediates ready for that kind of game.
Against the Caro-Kann
Three practical choices
Early intermediate
Three simpler choices against the Caro-Kann. Pick the one that fits your style.
Two Knights Attack
Late intermediate
My full, in-depth Two Knights Attack repertoire. Very aggressive while keeping a sound foundation. I'd recommend it from late intermediate level.
Dinic Gambit
An easy-to-pick-up blitz weapon with loads of traps. Great for creating practical problems.
Against the French
Two Knights Variation
Intermediate+
Aggressive, rare and tactical. My recommendation if you want to meet the French with the Two Knights.
Schlechter Variation
For a more solid approach against the French that still gives you attacking chances, I'd look at the Schlechter.
Schlechter Variation: companion study
I'd use this alongside the other Schlechter study to explore the variation further.
Against the Philidor
Bird Gambit
My full Bird Gambit against the Philidor. Very aggressive and tactical, with some wild attacks, including a variation with a 'zombie' king walk!
Against the Sicilian
Grand Prix Attack
Intermediate
An aggressive attacking system without too much theory. Look through the games to understand the ideas, rather than just memorising moves.
★ Staff Pick
White
Mengarini Variation
Intermediate
Very rare, aggressive and full of traps. Worth a look if you want to surprise Sicilian players.
Froster Gambit
Intermediate
Another rare, trappy gambit I'd recommend for intermediate players.
Carlsen Sicilian
Late intermediate
A slower burn: castle queenside and build an attack against the kingside. I'd recommend this if you enjoy a more patient attacking game.
Bosburp's Portsmouth Gambit
Late intermediate+
My favourite weapon against the ...Nc6 Sicilian. Extremely rare and aggressive, with wild tactical sacrifices, including a full rook sacrifice in the main line.
★ Staff Pick
White
Against the ...d6 Sicilian
My recommendation against the ...d6 Sicilian if you want a rare line with plenty of traps.
Wing Gambit against ...e6
Try the Wing Gambit against the ...e6 Sicilian. You can also use these ideas against the French.
Against other defences
Modern Defense: flank attacks
Against the Modern, I'd go for these flank-attacking ideas.
Nimzowitsch Defense: flank attacks
For the Nimzowitsch Defense, here's another study focused on flank attacks.
Against the Scandinavian
Intermediate
My intermediate-level pick against the Scandinavian.
Against the Scandinavian: an accessible option
Beginner+
For a more beginner-friendly option against the Scandinavian, I'd start here.
Alekhine Defense: Samisch Attack
Intermediate+
A full, in-depth Samisch Attack repertoire against the Alekhine. I'd recommend it for intermediates, but beginners can learn a lot from it too.
★ Staff Pick
White