Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4/3...Bc5/4. c3

Classical variation C53 Italian game → 3...Bc5 4. c3 · Classical variation White increases control of the d4 square. This prepares to play d4, e.g. if Black plays a passive move like 4...d6. After 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6, the La Bourdonnais variation, White has achieved a strong, two-pawn centre and all the space it controls. 4...Nf6 is by far the main move. Because White has occupied the c3 square, Black takes advantage of this by attacking the e4 pawn, and White no longer has Nc3 to defend it. The main line is 5. d3 to defend e4, reaching the main tabiya of the giuoco pianissimo (the "quietest game", otherwise reached by the move order 4. d3 Nf6 5. c3). More combative options include 5. d4, attacking the bishop and intending 5...exd4 6. e5, the Greco gambit, or 5. b4!?, Bird's attack. which may try and trap the Black bishop. White's secondary aim is to bring the queen to b3, thus intensifying the pressure on Black's f7-pawn. 4...Qe7, the closed variation, is a minor sideline. Perhaps Black hopes to win a pawn with 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Qxe4+, but these plans are scuppered if White castles and it's not clear if Black's queen isn't misplaced on the e-file. Theory table 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 4 5 6 7 ...Nf6 d3d6 O-OO-O Re1Bg4 = Closed ...Qe7 d4Bb6 O-Od6 Bg5Nf6 += References Giuoco Piano __NOTOC__