Giuoco Piano Game Center Attack Greco Gambit
Giuoco Piano
Definition
The Giuoco Piano (Italian for “Quiet Game”) is the classical starting position reached after
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5.
It is the oldest known double-king-pawn opening, dating back to the manuscripts of the 16-17ᵗʰ-century Italian masters Polerio and Greco. “Quiet” refers to the symmetrical, harmonious deployment of pieces rather than to a lack of tactical possibilities; sharp gambits such as the Evans or Greco may spring from it.
Typical Move Orders & Branches
- Main Line: 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 (transposing to the Giuoco Pianissimo if White delays d4).
- Center Attack: 4. d4 (see separate entry below).
- Evans Gambit: 4. b4!?
- Greco Gambit: 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O (see separate entry below).
- Bishop’s Opening Transposition: 3…Nf6 instead of 3…Bc5 leads to the Two Knights Defence.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: White usually plans c3–d4 or immediate d4 to seize space; Black counters with …Nf6 and …d5.
- Minor-Piece Activity: Both bishops are posted aggressively; tactical motifs on f7 and c2/f2 appear early.
- Pawn Structure: A symmetrical formation often shifts to an “Italian pawn centre”: pawns on e4 & d3 vs. e5 & d6, creating maneuvering play reminiscent of the Ruy López.
Historical & Modern Significance
- One of the first openings extensively analysed in print (Greco, 1620s).
- Celebrated miniature Greco vs. NN, c.1620 ended with a queen sacrifice and mate on f7—still quoted in opening manuals.
- Used by nearly every World Champion; Capablanca employed it as Black in a model end-game win against Lasker (St Petersburg 1914).
- In the computer era, the Giuoco Pianissimo (“very quiet”) structures appear in elite practice; e.g., Carlsen – Karjakin, WCh 2016 g.8.
Illustrative Mini-PGN
Interesting Facts
- The term “Italian Game” usually refers to the family of openings beginning 3.Bc4; “Giuoco Piano” is the subset where Black replies 3…Bc5.
- Because the starting position is so old, more than 30 ECO codes (C50-C54) are devoted to its many branches.
- Modern engines reveal hidden tactical resources in seemingly placid lines, which is why top grandmasters often insert prophylactic moves like a2–a4 or h2–h3 before opening the centre.
Center Attack (Giuoco Piano Center Attack)
Definition
The Center Attack is a forcing variation of the Giuoco Piano initiated by
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 !?
White immediately opens the position, challenging Black’s central pawn on e5 and exploiting the lead in development.
Key Ideas
- Rapid Development: White’s pieces flow to active squares (Nxc6, Qh5, Bg5) while Black’s c6-knight is often forced to retreat.
- Open e-File: After 5.Nxd4, the e-file becomes a tactical highway; rook lifts to e1 are common.
- Risk vs. Reward: White accepts an isolated e-pawn or a weakened d-pawn structure in exchange for piece activity.
Main Continuations
- 5…Nf6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 d5 8.exf6 dxc4 – a theoretical battleground since the 19ᵗʰ century (ECO C53).
- 5…Bxd4 6.c3 Bb6 7.O-O – Black keeps the bishop pair but lags in development.
Historical Notes
The Center Attack was popularized by 19ᵗʰ-century attacking icons such as Adolf Anderssen and Paul Morphy. Anderssen’s dazzling win over Mayet (Berlin 1851) started exactly with 4.d4 and ended in a mating combination featuring three piece sacrifices.
Modern Relevance
Though not seen often at super-GM level—where Black knows accurate defensive techniques—it is a dangerous practical weapon in rapid or club play. Engines show that even small inaccuracies by Black can revive classic “Italian” mating attacks.
Sample Trap
After 9.Bxf7+! White regains material with interest and exposes Black’s king—an echo of Greco’s original ideas.
Greco Gambit
Definition & Move Order
The Greco Gambit, named after Gioachino Greco, arises from the Italian Game:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O !?
Instead of recapturing on d4, White castles, sacrificing the central pawn to accelerate development and aim at f7.
Strategic Essence
- Development Lead: After 5.O-O, White’s king is safe, the rook eyes the e-file, and d4 can be recovered later with c3 or Nxd4.
- Pressure on f7 and the e-file: Typical tactical themes include Bxf7+, Ng5, and a rook swing Re1.
- Pawn Sacrifice: White often remains a pawn down into the middlegame, counting on active pieces and open lines.
Critical Responses
- 5…Nf6 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.Nxd4 – Black tries to hold the extra pawn while meeting threats on f7.
- 5…d6 6.c3 dxc3 7.Nxc3 – Black defends solidly but allows White full central control.
Famous Example
Greco’s original analysis features the spectacular line
5…Nf6 6.e5 Ng4 7.Bxf7+ ! Kxf7 8.Ng5+ Kg8 9.Qxg4 with an overwhelming attack.
Contemporary Evaluation
Modern theory rates the gambit as playable but slightly dubious if Black knows the safest continuations (…Nf6 followed by …d5). Nonetheless it retains surprise value, especially in blitz. Grandmasters such as Baadur Jobava and Alexei Shirov have tried it even in classical tournaments.
Trivia & Anecdotes
- Some old texts call the line “Greco Counter-Gambit” because Black can decline the pawn with 5…d6 turning the tables on White.
- Gioachino Greco never played formal tournament chess—yet his analysis of this line anticipated themes that still occur 400 years later.
- The ECO code C54 covers the Greco Gambit; the adjacent code C53 includes the Center Attack, showing how closely the two are related.
Miniature to Memorize
The final position illustrates the heart of the Greco Gambit: piece activity and open lines outweighing material.