Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4/3...Bc5/4. c3/4...Nf6/5. d4/5...exd4/6. cxd4/6...Bb4

Center Attack rd bd qd kd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd nd nd bd bl pl pl nl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl rl Giuoco PianoGiuoco Piano Center Attack 6...Bb4+ The bishop must move, and it did. This is actually the only not losing move. White has a couple options here. 7. Bd2 is a natural blocking move. Black can either trade and break the center with 8...d5, or immediately take with 7...Nxe4 which leads to complicated variations and the sacrifice of 8. Bxf7+! 7. Nc3 is a main line that sacrifices the e4 pawn. This is the Greco Gambit, where White then castles and gambits the pawn for development. 7. Nbd2 also exists. It was once very rare but has recently increased in popularity. 7. Kf1, also known as the Cracow Variation, is not usually played, as White can no longer castle and hangs the e4 pawn. For the pawn, White gains initiative and attacks Black who has to find only moves to keep advantage. Theory table 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7 8 9 10 Bd2Bxd2 Nxd2d5 exd5Nxd5 Qb3Nce7 = Bd2Nxe4 Bxb4Nxb4 Bxf7+Kxf7 Qb3+d5 = Greco Gambit Nc3Nxe4 O-OBxc3 d5Bf6 Re1Nce7 = Cracow Variation Kf1Nxe4 d5Nce7 Qd4Nf6 Bg5c5 =