Giuoco Piano Game: Evans Accepted & Pierce–Waller

Giuoco Piano Game

Definition

The Giuoco Piano (Italian for “quiet game”) is the classical starting position reached after

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5.

Both sides develop their kingside pieces rapidly and stake a claim in the centre without immediately creating pawn tension. Although dubbed “quiet,” the opening can explode into sharp tactical play after the central break d2–d4 or with aggressive gambits such as the Evans or Two Knights’ Defence.

Typical Move Orders and Branches

• 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 – the main line, aiming for the classical central thrust.
• 4. b4 – the Evans Gambit, covered below.
• 4. d3 – the modern Giuoco Pianissimo, keeping the position flexible.

Strategic Ideas

• Rapid development and early king safety (short castling is usually played by move 6).
• Controlling the e5- and d4-squares; the pawn lever d2–d4 is the thematic break.
• Minor-piece placement: White often looks for Bc4-xf7⁺ sacrifices or Nb1–d2–f1–g3 jumps, while Black eyes the c5-f2 diagonal and opportunities …Na5 or …d5.

Historical Significance

First analysed by 16th-century Italian masters (Polerio, Greco), the Giuoco Piano is one of the oldest recorded chess openings. It fell out of favour in the late 19th century when the Ruy Lopez became dominant, but made a strong comeback in the computer era thanks to its rich transpositional possibilities and relatively lower volume of forcing theory compared to the Spanish.

Illustrative Mini-PGN

Below is a skeleton line—no claim that it is best play – just enough to visualise the structure.

Interesting Facts

• Giulio Cesare Polerio’s manuscripts (c. 1580) already contain ideas still considered theoretical today.
• In the 1971 Candidates’ Match (Game 6), Bobby Fischer used a Giuoco Piano sideline to defeat Tigran Petrosian, catching him in sharp preparation.

Evans Accepted (Evans Gambit Accepted)

Definition

The Evans Gambit arises from the Giuoco Piano after 4. b4. If Black accepts the pawn with 4…Bxb4 the line is called “Evans Accepted.” White sacrifices the b-pawn to drag the bishop off the a7–g1 diagonal, gain tempi, and seize the centre with c2-c3 and d2-d4.

Typical Starting Sequence

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4 Bxb4
5. c3 Ba5
6. d4 (White’s key break)

Strategic Themes

• Time for material: White is a pawn down but obtains two developmental tempi and central space.
• Open lines: The c- and d-files, as well as the a2–g8 diagonal, often open quickly, giving White attacking prospects against f7 and sometimes along the h1–a8 diagonal after Ba3.
• Black’s choices:
  • Solid defence with …d6 (“Pierce Defence”).
  • Counter-central strike with …d5 (Lasker variation).
  • Immediate piece pressure via …Nf6 followed by …d5 or …Na5.

Historical Notes

Invented by Welsh sea-captain William Davies Evans in 1825. The gambit dazzled the 19th-century romantic school—Adolf Anderssen, Paul Morphy and Emanuel Lasker all scored brilliancies with it. Although once considered dubious at top level, Garry Kasparov resuscitated the line in the 1990s rapid circuit, famously defeating Anand (Tilburg 1991) and Karpov (Reykjavík 1995) with modern computer-backed refinements.

Illustrative Game Excerpt

Kasparov – Anand, Tilburg 1991 (rapid), opening moves:

Interesting Tidbits

• Captain Evans’ original analysis sat unpublished for years because editors doubted the soundness of giving up a pawn so early.
• In modern engines’ assessments, the gambit scores surprisingly well in blitz/rapid time-controls, where the initiative is worth more than a pawn.

Pierce–Waller Attack (within Evans Gambit Accepted)

Definition

The Pierce–Waller Attack is a sharp sub-variation of the Evans Gambit Accepted characterised by an early 6…d6 (the Pierce Defence) followed by White’s rapid castling and queen sortie to b3 or a4. A common tabiya is:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 
4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 
7. O-O Nf6 8. Qb3 – Pierce–Waller Attack

Key Motifs

• Pressure on f7 and b7: The queen/bishop battery Bc4-Qb3 threatens immediate tactics and ties Black’s pieces to defence.
• Flexible centre: Because White delayed d4xd5 or d4-d5, the pawn duo e4/d4 remains intact, ready to advance.
• Kingside initiative: Typical follow-ups are Re1, Ng5, sometimes f2-f4–f5, exploiting the half-open f-file once Black castles.

Historical Background

Named after 19th-century English theoretician William Pierce and New Zealand master C. Waller, both of whom analysed the variation in the 1880-1890 period. Their notebooks showed that …d6, once thought completely safe, could still lead to violent attacks if Black was careless.

Theoretical Status

Modern engines suggest that with accurate play Black can equalise, often by returning the extra pawn at the right moment (e.g. …d5! breaks). Nevertheless, the line remains a potent surprise weapon, especially in rapid and club play where precise defensive moves are hard to find over the board.

Mini-PGN Sample

Interesting Side Notes

• Because …d6 blocks the queen-bishop battery on c5–f2, the Pierce–Waller idea is to punish that “slowing” move by striking f7 before Black completes development.
• Some modern databases spell it “Pierce–WallER” while others give “Pierce–WallACE.” The ECO code C53 groups them under “Evans Accepted, Pierce Defence & Waller Attack.”