The Modenese Masters were three 18th-century chess masters and writers from Modena, Italy: Domenico Lorenzo Ponziani (1719–96) Ercole del Rio (1718–1802) Giambattista Lolli (1698–1769) Together they were known as the "Modenese school of chess" . They recommended playing the Italian Game opening. In contrast to Philidor's idea of pawn structure and mobility, the Modenese school emphasized rapid development of the pieces for an attack on the opposing king, aiming for checkmate or winning material in the process . See also School of chess References 18th century in chess Modena