The Giuoco Piano, a branch of the Italian Game, is a chess opening beginning with the moves: While some writers refer to the opening as the Italian Game, that name is also used to describe all games starting with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, regardless of Black's third move. Used in this way, the term "Italian Game" includes 3...Nf6, as well as the less common 3...Be7 , 3...d6, 3...g6, 3...Nd4, and 3...f5.
The main continuations on White's fourth move are:
4., the Main line.
4., the Evans Gambit, in which White offers a pawn to speed his. This opening was popular in the 19th century, more than the standard Giuoco Piano.
4., the Giuoco Pianissimo.
4., often with the intention of meeting 4...Nf6 with 5.d4, the Max Lange Gambit, with similar ideas to the Italian Gambit but with some transpositional differences.
4., the Italian Gambit, in which White opens up the, avoiding the lines of the Giuoco Piano and Giuoco Pianissimo.
4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5, the Jerome Gambit, an opening where White sacrifices two pieces in the hope of exposing Black's king and obtaining a.
Main line: 4.c3
White plays 4.c3 in preparation for the central advance d2–d4. The main move 4...Nf6 was first analysed by Greco in the 17th century. Alternatives include 4...Qe7, with the intention of holding on to the centre.
4...Nf6
5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 6...Bb4+
7.Nc3 (including Greco Variation and Møller Attack)
If White does not want togambit material, 7.Bd2 is a good alternative. The game could continue 7...Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Qb3 Nce7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rfe1 c6. In this position White has more freedom, but the can be a weakness. 7.Nbd2 is also a viable move for White, although this still only offers approximate equality. It has not been a popular choice among human players, but it seems to be recommended by computer engines. 7.Kf1 has been largely abandoned.
4...Qe7 and alternatives
Black can try to hold a in the centre at e5 with 4...Qe7, a move which first appeared in the Göttingen manuscript around 1500. After 5.d4Bb6, White's options include 6.0-0, 6.d5, 6.a4 and 6.Bg5. A typical continuation is 6.0-0 d6 7.a4 a6 8.h3 Nf6 9.Re1 0-0. 4...Bb6 usually transposes after 5.d4 Qe7. Other moves are considered inferior.
Giuoco Pianissimo: 4.d3
With 4., White plays the Giuoco Pianissimo. White aims for a slow buildup deferring the to d4 until it can be prepared. By avoiding an immediate confrontation in the centre, White prevents the early release of tension through exchanges and enters a positional maneuvering game. 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d3 is the Giuoco Pianissimo Deferred. If White plays c2–c3, the position can take some characteristics of the Ruy Lopez if the bishop retreats to c2 via Bc4–b3–c2. This idea has been taken up by some grandmasters, such as Anish Giri, in order to avoid the drawishBerlin Defence in the Ruy Lopez. The game can also retain an Italian flavour after c3 if White plays a4 and b4, staking out on the. Despite its slow, drawish reputation, this variation became more popular after being taken up by John Nunn in the 1980s. The common move orders are 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3, and the transposition from the Bishop's Opening: 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.c3 or 5.0-0 d6 6.c3.
