Nicolas Catinat

French victory on 18 August 1690 at Staffarda (Piedmont): Catinat defeated Victor Amadeus II who had attacked prematurely with the Spanish. French dragoons forced the farm defences, the second line shattered the Savoyard centre, and the French occupied Savigliano and Saluzzo.

On 4 October 1693 at Marsaglia in Piedmont, Marshal Catinat won a brilliant victory over troops of Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy and his Austrian ally Prince of Commercy. French cavalry charges broke Savoyard lines; about 10,000 men were killed or captured on the allied side. The battle consolidated French control of Piedmont during the Nine Years' War.

In a series of initial maneuvers in northern Italy, Imperial troops surprise the French advance guard at Carpi. Prince Eugene of Savoy crosses the Po unopposed, forcing the French to retreat.

Ill prepared, Franco-Spanish forces attack a well-fortified position held by Prince Eugene at Chiari. The frontal assault ends in a crushing failure, with very heavy losses on the French side.