The Italian Game is like an old lady who is continually asked to dance. She is as sprightly as in her youth and demands everything from her partner. Blessed is the one who knows how to dance on the board. Our authors have oriented themselves around the role of the player with Black and compiled a repertoire that prepares him against all major white variations after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5, as long as the game does not transition into a foreign opening. They have sought and found ways for Black to gain an advantage right from the opening, or at least to achieve a balanced game. The player with White is also well advised to know the best alternatives in the opponent's arsenal, which is why this work is also aimed at him. As far as his play leads to critical positions, both he and his opponent are given advice on move selection. Konikowski and Bekemann enrich the reader with move recommendations, analyses, plans, and practical examples, a significant number of which come from correspondence chess. In doing so, they have developed a style that combines the necessary factual sobriety with an entertaining component. After studying this book, the music can start, and the reader is ready to dance with the Italian Game. This is the third joint work of the author duo Konikowski/Bekemann. Konikowski is a FIDE Master and known as the author of a large number of excellent opening books. Bekemann is a National Correspondence Chess Master (Bronze), PR manager of the German Correspondence Chess Federation, and author of gambit books.