Exeter Chess Club

The Italian Game for beginners

------------

Local Contents

The Giuoco Piano and Evans' Gambit

Giuoco Piano
t+lDj+sT
XxXx+xXx
-+s+-+-+
+-L-X-+-
-+b+p+-+
+-P-+n+-
pP-P-PpP
RnBqK-+r
Evans' Gambit
t+lDj+sT
XxXx+xXx
-+s+-+-+
+-L-X-+-
-Pb+p+-+
+-+-+n+-
p+pP-PpP
RnBqK-+r


An Exeter Junior Chess Club booklet

Edition 3.18, April, 96

Bibliography

      Kasparov/Keene, Batsford Chess Openings

      Levy/Keene, An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Club Player

      Walker, Chess Openings for Juniors

      Various magazines and other books

Introduction

This is an updated and expanded version of a booklet first written in 1994. The major change is the conversion of the `example games' section to a much larger `ideas and traps' section.

The trouble with the Giuoco Piano
(is the Giuoco Pianissimo)

The name Giuoco Piano means 'quiet game', but it is not really quiet. When it got its name, people were still playing the bloodthirsty variations of the King's Gambit like the Muzio Gambit
t+lDj+-T
XxXx+x+x
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+b+pX-+
+-+-+q+-
pPpP-+pP
RnB-+rK-
(1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. O-O gxf3 6. Qxf3).

Compared to that, I suppose the Giuoco Piano is quiet!
But there is a variation to be avoided, which is the Giuoco Pianissimo. That means 'very quiet game'.

It looks like this:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 d6

t+lDj+-T
XxX-+xXx
-+sX-S-+
+-L-X-+-
-+b+p+-+
+-Np+n+-
pPp+-PpP
R-BqK-+r
Junior players can usually get to this point safely but often don't really enjoy the game that results. The position is blocked, the sides are equal and it's hard to get things going. It can take a long time to beat worse players because things are so solid. Also, it may be that almost every game you play ends up something like this, and perhaps you would like some variety.

Why does this go wrong? Well, you should know that Plan A in the opening (for White and Black) is to play e4 and d4. If you both play sensibly 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 White cannot play d4, so you both continue sensibly 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 d6. Which is where we came in. If you really want to play like this, see the last section, but I don't think it's a good way to play.

Knowing this can happen, you need to know the two great ways to avoid it, which lead to open exciting games.

t+lDj+sT
XxXx+xXx
-+s+-+-+
+-L-X-+-
-+b+p+-+
+-P-+n+-
pP-P-PpP
RnBqK-+r
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4.c3

This is the main line of the Giuoco Piano.

The idea is to play c3, d4 and only after ...exd4,cxd4 do you play Nc3.

You then have your old-fashioned centre and good prospects of a quick attack down the centre or on the K-side.

I often call this Plan A.
Black can use the temporary weakness of e4 to play 4...Nf6 when it is difficult to stop Black upsetting your plan a little.
t+lDj+sT
XxXx+xXx
-+s+-+-+
+-L-X-+-
-Pb+p+-+
+-+-+n+-
p+pP-PpP
RnBqK-+r
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!?

This is the Evans' Gambit, the "gift of the gods to a languishing chess world".

After 4...Bxb4, 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 you have gained a move on Plan A, although you are a Pawn down.

The Evans' is more dangerous than the Giuoco Piano - for both sides!

Enterprising chess players still occasionally trot this one out at master level: Bobby Fischer and John Nunn have played it with success.
So, let's have a look at some ideas in these more exciting lines. I'll show you

You should read and play over the examples with a board, and do them in the order above: (1) ideas, (2) traps, and only then (3) variations. This is how to study any opening.

Basic ideas in the Italian Game

I've described some of them above. Because the basic layout is similar for both sides, some of these ideas also apply to playing Black. In addition Black should strive for: First, I'll show you an example game which includes the ideas I have listed above.
Basic ideas in the Italian Game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. O-O!? d6
t+lDj+sT
XxX-+xXx
-+sX-+-+
+-L-+-+-
-+bPp+-+
+-+-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
RnBq+rK-
7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4

Central advantage: the Plan A pawn centre with good development. 8...Bb6 9. Re1

The Rook comes to e1, giving the King a Hard Stare.
9...Bg4

t+-Dj+sT
XxX-+xXx
-LsX-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+bPp+l+
+-+-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
RnBqR-K-
White's next points both Bishops at the King's-side.

10. Bb2 Qf6 11. e5 dxe5 12. dxe5

t+-+j+sT
XxX-+xXx
-Ls+-D-+
+-+-P-+-
-+b+-+l+
+-+-+n+-
pB-+-PpP
Rn+qR-K-
Raiding by centre pawns. The Pawn wins time by the attack on the Queen, and then breaks open lines by a further step forward.

12... Qf4 13. e6 Bxf3

t+-+j+sT
XxX-+xXx
-Ls+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+b+-D-+
+-+-+l+-
pB-+-PpP
Rn+qR-K-
Black hopes to gain time by taking a piece with an attack on the Queen.

t+-+j+sT
XxX-+pXx
-Ls+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+b+-D-+
+-+-+l+-
pB-+-PpP
Rn+qR-K-
14. exf7+

Not a bit of it! - Check stops everything.

Attack on f7 along the "Italian Diagonal"

14... Kf8 15. fxg8=Q+ Rxg8 16. Ba3+ Ne7 17. Bxe7+

t+-+-Jt+
XxX-B-Xx
-L-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+b+-D-+
+-+-+l+-
p+-+-PpP
Rn+qR-K-
In fact White never moves the Queen or takes the Bishop!

The King caught in the middle.

Black resigns... 1-0

An exciting game!

Let's have a look at each of these ideas again in actual play, and how to play when you are Black.

IDEAS MAINLY FOR WHITE

You should know this idea already. Get your pieces out and fighting - if they are on the back rank you might as well not have them! And of course, they are most effective in the centre.

The way to take over the centre is with your e- and d-pawns. These pawns can make little steps down the middle towards the Black King, and on the way stamp on the toes of the Black pieces to make them jump out of the way!


Boleslavsky - Scitov
[C54 Giuoco Piano] (Moscow) 1933

The raid with central pawns

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6
t+lDj+-T
XxXx+xXx
-Ls+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+bPp+-+
+-+-+n+-
pP-+-PpP
RnBqK-+r
This move gives White too much of a free hand. The "Plan A" pawn centre just rolls over the Black position.

The Pawns have marched forward, causing the Black pieces to scatter.

Time to develop a piece...

11. Bg5 f6

t+lDj+-T
XxXx+-Xx
-L-P-XsS
+-+-P-B-
-+b+-+-+
+-+-+n+p
pP-+-Pp+
Rn+qK-+r
12. exf6 gxf6

White can win a piece, but:

13. Qe2+ Kf8 14. Bxh6# 1-0
Isn't that better than the Giuoco Pianissimo?


Morphy,Paul - Laroche,H
[Evans' Gambit, C52] Paris, 1859

The raid with central Pawns

t+lDj+-T
XxXx+xXx
-+s+-S-+
L-+-X-+-
-+bPp+-+
+-P-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
RnBqK-+r
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 Nf6

Now a little Pawn stab.

7. dxe5 Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. e5

t+lDj+-T
XxXx+-Xx
-+s+-S-+
L-+-P-B-
-+b+-+-+
+-P-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
Rn+qK-+r
Another awkward Pawn raid.

10... h6 11. exf6 hxg5 12. fxg7 Qe7+ 13. Qe2 1-0


Morphy,Paul(bl_sim) - Cunningham
[Giuoco Piano, C54] London, 1859

The raid with central Pawns

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 Qe7 7. O-O Ng8 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. d5
t+l+j+sT
XxXxDxXx
-Ls+-+-+
+-+pP-+-
-+b+-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pP-+-PpP
RnBq+rK-
This we would call a central pawn roller.

9... Qc5 10. Na3 Nd4 11. Be3 Nxf3+ 12. Qxf3 Qf8 13. Bxb6 axb6 14. Nb5 Kd8 15. Rac1

t+lJ-DsT
+xXx+xXx
-X-+-+-+
+n+pP-+-
-+b+-+-+
+-+-+q+-
pP-+-PpP
+-R-+rK-
Black is getting squashed by those Pawns.

15... d6 16. exd6 cxd6 17. Qe3 Ra6 18. Nc7 Qe7

-+lJ-+sT
+xN-DxXx
tX-X-+-+
+-+p+-+-
-+b+-+-+
+-+-Q-+-
pP-+-PpP
+-R-+rK-
Black wants to exchange Queens.

19. Ne6+! fxe6 20. Bxa6 Bd7 21. Bb5 Ke8
22. dxe6 Nf6 23. Rc8+ 1-0


Bastian,Herbert - Eng,Holger
(10) [Giuoco Piano, C54] Bad Neuenahr ch-DE, 1984
Central advantage

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Nce7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfe1
t+lD-Tj+
XxX-SxXx
-+-+-+-+
+-+s+-+-
-+bP-+-+
+q+-+n+-
pP-N-PpP
R-+-R-K-
This is the Main line position.

Most of the Pawns have disappeared, but Black must be careful not to let the White pieces dominate the central squares and the e-file.

12... Nb6 13. Bd3 Bf5 14. Rxe7 Bxd3 15. Rae1 Bg6 16. Nh4 Nc8

t+sD-Tj+
XxX-RxXx
-+-+-+l+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-N
+q+-+-+-
pP-N-PpP
+-+-R-K-
White has far more active pieces and control of the e-file. This is an easy game to understand, and, hopefully, imitate.

17. Nxg6 hxg6 18. R7e5 Qxd4 19. Nf3 Qd7 20. Ng5 Nd6

t+-+-Tj+
XxXd+xX-
-+-S-+x+
+-+-R-N-
-+-+-+-+
+q+-+-+-
pP-+-PpP
+-+-R-K-
Black is starting to get sorted out but White's next move tempts the f-pawn to move...

21. Qb4 f6 22. Re7 Qb5 23. Rxg7+ Kxg7 24. Re7+ Rf7 25. Rxf7+ Nxf7 26. Ne6+ 1-0


Catch the Black King in the Middle

As I said, this is mostly an idea for the Evans' Gambit. White's pieces charge out before Black can play ...Nf6 and ...O-O, and before the defence can get organised.


Morphy - Hampton, H
[Evans' Gambit, C52] (London) 1858
The King caught in the Middle
(and Central advantage):

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3
t+lDj+sT
XxX-+xXx
-LsX-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+bPp+-+
+-N-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
R-Bq+rK-
This simple developing move is best, but not much played before Morphy.

Instead they used to rush with 9. d5 or hesitate with 9. h3.

9... Nf6 10. e5 dxe5 11. Ba3

Stops the Black King castling.

11...Bg4 12. Qb3 Bh5 13. dxe5 Ng4 14. Rad1 Qc8

t+d+j+-T
XxX-+xXx
-Ls+-+-+
+-+-P-+l
-+b+-+s+
BqN-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
+-+r+rK-
White has a model position, while Black's pieces are disorganised and the King vulnerable.

15. e6 f6 16. Qb5 Bg6 17. Bd5 1-0



Fischer - Fine RH
[Evans' Gambit, C52] (New York) 1963
King caught in the Middle

This game was played as a 'friendly' game at Fine's house.

t+l+j+sT
XxXxDxXx
-+s+-+-+
L-+-+-+-
-+b+p+-+
+qN-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
R-B-+rK-
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O dxc3

"A little too greedy", said Modern Chess Openings, and Fischer agreed.

8. Qb3 Qe7 9. Nxc3

White has a massive lead in development. Now 9...Qb4 is the most awkward.

Fischer's reply does not lose time because Black must respond to the attack on the Queen, and, after the exchange, the Knight.

9... Nf6 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. exd5 Ne5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Bb2 Qg5

t+l+j+-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+-+-+
L-+p+-D-
-+b+-+-+
+q+-+-+-
pB-+-PpP
R-+-+rK-
Fischer now finds a nice deflecting move.

14. h4 Qxh4 15. Bxg7 Rg8 16. Rfe1+ Kd8 17. Qg3

t+lJ-+t+
XxXx+xBx
-+-+-+-+
L-+p+-+-
-+b+-+-D
+-+-+-Q-
p+-+-Pp+
R-+-R-K-
1-0
Another, conclusive deflection. The Black Queen cannot defend the f6 square, so if 17...Qg3 18. Bf6 mate.



Anderssen,Adolf - Dufresne,J
[Evans' Gambit, C52] Berlin 'Evergreen', 1852
King caught in the Middle

This is a very famous game, published in newspapers all over the world at the time.

-T-+j+t+
XlXxSx+x
-Ls+-P-+
+-+-+-+d
q+-+-+-+
B-Pb+n+-
p+-+-PpP
R-+-R-K-
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d3 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. e5 Qg6 10. Re1 Nge7 11. Ba3 b5 12. Qxb5 Rb8 13. Qa4 Bb6 14. Nbd2 Bb7 15. Ne4 Qf5 16. Bxd3 Qh5 17. Nf6+ gxf6 18. exf6 Rg8

In playing his next move, Anderssen must have seen the mate at the end. Superb!

19. Rad1 Qxf3 20. Rxe7+ Nxe7 21. Qxd7+ Kxd7 22. Bf5+ Ke8 23. Bd7+ Kf8 24. Bxe7# 1-0


Romero Holmes, Alfonse - Estremera Panos, Serg
[Giuoco Piano, C54] Leon, 1989
King caught in the Middle

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. b4
t+lDj+-T
XxXx+xXx
-+s+-S-+
+-L-+-+-
-PbXp+-+
+-P-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
RnBqK-+r
An unusual line.

6... Bb6 7. e5 d5 8. exf6 dxc4 9. b5 Na5

t+lDj+-T
XxX-+xXx
-L-+-P-+
Sp+-+-+-
-+xX-+-+
+-P-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
RnBqK-+r
White has yet to show anything for his efforts.

10. Qe2+ Be6 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. cxd4 Qxd4 14. Bb2

This move hangs on to the g-pawn, without which Black would be OK. It's still all very muddly!


t+-+j+t+
XxX-+xPx
-+-+l+-+
Sp+-+-+-
-+xD-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pB-+qPpP
Rn+-K-+r
14... Qd3 15. Bf6 Qg6 16. Qf3 Rxg7 17. Nd2

t+-+j+-+
XxX-+xTx
-+-+lBd+
Sp+-+-+-
-+x+-+-+
+-+-+q+-
p+-N-PpP
R-+-K-+r
Black jumps at a loose Pawn...

17... Qxg2 18. Qa3 1-0

The King's-side attack.

Of course, if Black is not greedy you may see the Black King flee to the King's-side. But all the things that make the attack on the uncastled King work - better development, central control and open lines - also make a King's-side attack work!

Morphy,Paul - Amateur
[Giuoco Piano, C51] London, 1858
King's-side attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bb6 8. Bg5 Nge7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. d5 Na5
t+lD-Tj+
XxXxSxXx
-L-+-+-+
S-+p+-B-
-+b+p+-+
+-N-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
R-+qK-+r
Black has castled, but White is still out to get the King.

11. d6 cxd6 12. Nd5 Nac6 13. Nxe7+ Nxe7 14. Qxd6 Re8 15. Rc1 Ba5+

t+lDt+j+
Xx+xSxXx
-+-Q-+-+
L-+-+-B-
-+b+p+-+
+-+-+n+-
p+-+-PpP
+-R-K-+r
White's next move is an important one: he will have to win the game without his King's Rook!

16. Kf1 Kf8 17. Qf4 d5 18. Bb5 Bd7 19. Ne5

t+-DtJ-+
Xx+lSxXx
-+-+-+-+
Lb+xN-B-
-+-+pQ-+
+-+-+-+-
p+-+-PpP
+-R-+k+r
A well-judged sacrifice.

19... Bxb5+ 20. Kg1 f5 21. exf5 Qb6 22. f6 Ng8 23. f7 Rec8 24. fxg8=Q+ Kxg8 25. Qf7+

t+t+-+j+
Xx+-+qXx
-D-+-+-+
Ll+xN-B-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
p+-+-PpP
+-R-+-Kr
White has got his attack going nicely now.

25... Kh8 26. Rxc8+ Rxc8 27. Qxd5 h6 28. Nf7+ Kh7 29. Qf5+ Qg6 30. Qxc8 Qb1+ 31. Qc1 Qf5 32. Be3 Qxf7 33. Qb1+ 1-0



Littlewood - Paish
(Blindfold)1993

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3! Nce7 11. O-O O-O

12. Rfe1 c6 13. a4

Fritz knows about several alternatives here: h6, Qb6,Qb7, Rb8, b6 and so on. Littlewood's opponent found a new one, but the decentralising ...Qa5 does little towards getting Black's position sorted.

t+-T-+j+
Xx+-+x+q
-+xSl+x+
D-+sN-N-
p+bP-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-P-+-PpP
R-+-R-K-
13... Qa5 14. Ne4 Rd8 15. Ne5 Nf5 16. Qd3 Be6 17. Ng5 g6 18. Qh3 Nd6 19. Qxh7+

The entry of the Queen decides.

19... Kf8 20. Nxe6+ fxe6 21. Bxd5 and Nxg6+ 1-0

This was one of eight games played blindfold by Paul - that is, he played by calling out moves to eight opponents, each of whom had a board!


Euwe,Max - O'Hanlon,John
[Giuoco Piano, C54] Hastings, 1919
King's-side attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4
t+lD-Tj+
XxX-SxXx
-+-X-+-+
+-+p+-N-
-+b+r+-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+-PpP
R-+q+-K-
8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5 Bf6 10. Re1 Ne7 11. Rxe4 d6 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Nxg5 O-O

White now plays a break-up sacrifice.

14. Nxh7! Kxh7 15. Rh4+ Kg8 16. Qh5 f5 17. Re1 Ng6 18. Rh3 f4 19. Re6 Rf6

t+lD-+j+
XxX-+-X-
-+-XrTs+
+-+p+-+q
-+b+-X-+
+-+-+-+r
pP-+-PpP
+-+-+-K-
Black has no time to organise a defence of all of his weaknesses.

20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Qh8+ Nxh8 22. Rxh8+
Kf7 23. Rxd8 c6 24. Ree8 Bd7 25. dxc6+ Be6 26. Bxe6+ Rxe6 27. Rxa8 Rxe8 28. Rxe8 Kxe8 29. cxb7 1-0



Morphy,Paul(bl_sim) - Forde,A
[Evans' Gambit, C52] New Orleans, 1858
The Fried Liver Raid

t+lDj+-T
XxX-+xXx
-+s+-+-+
L-+sX-N-
-+b+-+-+
+-P-+-+-
p+-P-PpP
RnBq+rK-
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O Nge7 7. Ng5 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5

You may know the Fried Liver Attack - here is a version of it in the Evans' Gambit.

9. Nxf7 Kxf7 10. Qf3+ Ke6 11. Ba3 Bb6 12. Re1 Na5

t+lD-+-T
XxX-+-Xx
-L-+j+-+
S-+sX-+-
-+b+-+-+
B-P-+q+-
p+-P-PpP
Rn+-R-K-
How can White get at the King?

13. Rxe5+! Kxe5 14. d4+ Ke6 15. g4 g6 16. Qe4+ Kf7 17. Bxd5+ Kg7 18. Be7 Re8 19. Qe5+ Kh6 20. g5+ Kh5 21. Bf3+ Bg4 22. Qg3 Qd7 23. Qh3# 1-0

This too was one of a number of games played by Morphy without sight of the board.


CONTENTS
Introduction

The trouble with the Giuoco Piano
(is the Giuoco Pianissimo)

Basic ideas in the Italian Game

Ideas mainly for White

Develop rapidly and
take over the centre

The Raid with central pawns

Main line Giuoco Piano Central advantage:
Catch the Black King in the Middle
The King's-side attack.

This file is italian.htm.

To INDEX of all italian pages

To italian1.htm

To italian2.htm

To italian3.htm

To Bishops Opening

This document (originally a part of italian.html) was last
modified on
by

Dr. Dave

HTML by Puddles, omdalen@ix.netcom.com.