Before the round started, I was reviewing the mainline of the Scotch Gambit (the one where Qxd5 Nc3 but if dxc3 then Qxd5 winning black's queen). So, I was somewhat relieved when my opponent played the Italian! On the other hand, I - again! - completely missed some tactics because I was caught up in "opening preparation."
Also, it turns out we weren't playing the Two Knights but rather the Neumann Gambit after white's 4. c3?! The opening was really messed up with both sides trying to play "book moves" it seems - rather than looking for the early tactics that arise in e4-e5 openings.
It's pretty clear that I only won this game because my opponent played some rather passive moves along with some easily defended single-move threats. An only-slightly stronger opponent would have rolled me off the board.
