Giuoco Piano Game: Evans Accepted, Anderssen Cordel Line
Giuoco Piano Game
Definition
The Giuoco Piano (Italian for “Quiet Game”) is one of the oldest recorded chess openings and a main branch of the Italian Game. It begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5, leading to open, symmetrical play in which both sides develop rapidly toward the center.
Typical Move-Order
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Bc5
Usage in Modern Play
The Giuoco Piano is popular at every level, especially in rapid and classical time controls, because it:
- Teaches classical principles of rapid development and central control.
- Offers flexible systems for both sides (“slow” lines with d3 or sharper Gambits such as the Evans).
- Transposes easily to related systems (e.g., Two Knights Defense, Italian Four Knights).
Strategic Significance
In the Quiet Game, neither side forces immediate structural weaknesses. White tries to play c3 and d4 to seize space, while Black prepares …Nf6 and …d6 or …d5 breaks. Accurate piece placement—especially of the light-squared bishops—and timing of pawn thrusts often decide the struggle.
Historical Snapshot
Games with the Giuoco Piano date back to the 16th century (Greco, Polerio). It remained staple theory through the Romantic Era and was revived in high-level practice by World Champions such as Karpov and Carlsen.
Illustrative Example
Interesting Facts
- The name “Quiet Game” contrasts ironically with its razor-sharp sub-lines, most notably the Evans Gambit.
- The opening appears in Gioachino Greco’s 1620 manuscript, making it older than Isaac Newton’s Principia.
Evans Accepted (Evans Gambit Accepted)
Definition
An offshoot of the Giuoco Piano that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4. When Black replies 4…Bxb4, accepting White’s pawn sacrifice, the position is termed the Evans Gambit Accepted.
Purpose of the Gambit
White invests a pawn to gain:
- Rapid development (c3, d4).
- Open diagonals for the c4-bishop and a1-rook.
- Early initiative against Black’s king.
Strategic Themes
- Lead in development: White often castles by move 7 while Black’s kingside pieces remain on their original squares.
- c- and d-pawns: c3 prepares d4, striking at the center and opening files.
- Material vs. time: The gambit epitomizes the classical debate of a pawn versus initiative.
Historical Significance
Captain William Davies Evans introduced the idea in 1827. It became the terror of the Romantic Era: Anderssen, Morphy, and Chigorin scored brilliant miniatures. Although theory later found reliable defenses, the gambit still pops up as a surprise weapon—Garry Kasparov resurrected it to defeat Viswanathan Anand (Tallinn 1983) and Jan Piket (Tilburg 1995).
Sample Miniature
Anderssen Variation (of the Evans Gambit Accepted)
Definition
A critical continuation in the Evans Gambit Accepted characterized by Black advancing an early d-pawn to d3 after accepting the gambit. The canonical moves are:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Bc5
- b4 Bxb4
- c3 Ba5
- d4 exd4
- O-O d3 (Anderssen Variation)
Idea Behind 7…d3
Black surrenders central control but anchors a passed pawn on d3 that:
- Disrupts White’s coordination (e.g., Nb1-d2 is harder).
- Creates tactical motifs on e2 and f2.
- Buys time to complete development with …Nf6 and …d6.
Why Anderssen?
Named after Adolf Anderssen, who used 7…d3 in mid-19th-century analysis and games to counter the ever-popular Evans. His advocacy established it as one of Black’s most resilient answers.
Key Position
Modern Assessment
The line remains theoretically sound: engines evaluate the position as roughly equal with best play. However, precise knowledge is mandatory; careless moves allow White’s pieces to swarm around the d-pawn, often culminating in a decisive attack.
Trivia
- The pawn on d3 has been nicknamed the “Anderssen Anchor.”
- In 2013, Magnus Carlsen tried the Evans in a blitz game vs. Wesley So, but Wesley parried with the Anderssen Variation and ultimately drew.
Cordel Line (within the Anderssen Variation)
Definition
An off-shoot of the Anderssen Variation in which Black meets 8.Qb3 with 8…Qf6, defending f7 and maintaining the d3-pawn. Complete starting sequence:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Bc5
- b4 Bxb4
- c3 Ba5
- d4 exd4
- O-O d3
- Qb3 Qf6 (Cordel Line)
Main Ideas
- Fortifying f7: 8…Qf6 covers f7 twice, removing the immediate mating threat.
- Piece Coordination: Black plans …Nge7, …d6, and long-term liquidation of the d3-pawn.
- Counter-punch: The queen on f6 eyes the a1–h8 diagonal, allowing tactics against c3 or with …Bxc3 in some lines.
Historical Note
Gustav Cordel, a late-19th-century German theoretician, recommended 8…Qf6 as an improvement over the older 8…Qe7, arguing that the queen belongs on the kingside for both defense and counterplay. His analysis appeared in the Deutsche Schachzeitung (1889).
Theoretical Status
While engines rate the Cordel Line as playable, modern grandmasters often prefer the simpler 8…Qe7 or the dynamic 8…Nge7. Nonetheless, the line remains an excellent surprise weapon, requiring White to know forcing continuations such as 9.e5! Qg6 10.Re1 Nge7.
Illustrative Game
Marshall – Janowski, Paris 1900 featured the Cordel Line and culminated in a perpetual check after energetic play by both sides.
Fun Fact
Because Black’s queen lands on f6 so early, blitz aficionados jokingly call this line “the premature selfie”—both sides’ queens stare down the board at one another from b3 and f6.