The
GIUOCO PIANO (also known as the Italian Game)
is a very old opening (played in early 1500!)
that has long been employed by players who enjoy
open, attacking positions. However, a new idea
has recently surfaced that suggests the whole
system (with the exception of the gambit offshoots)
gives Black easy and safe equality.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4
Bc5 4 c3 Nf6 5 d4 exd4 6 cxd4 Bb4+ 7 Bd2
In the past, this position
usually led to an equal but combative position,
reached after 7…Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2 d5 9.exd5
Nxd5 10.0-0, when White’s more active
pieces give him compensation for Black’s
superior structure. However, it turns out that
the previously vilified 7…Nxe4!? might
remove the opening’s fangs: 8
Bxb4 (8 Qe2 Qe7) 8...Nxb4
9 Bxf7+ (White doesn’t
get anything after 9 Qb3 d5 10 Qxb4 dxc4 11
O-O Qd6 12 Qxc4 O-O) 9…Kxf7
10 Qb3+ d5 (As we
shall soon see, 10...Kf8 11 Qxb4+ Qe7 12 Qxe7+
Kxe7 13 O-O Re8 might be Black’s correct
choice.) 11
Ne5+ Ke8 12.Qxb4 Qg5.
This position was discussed as long ago as
1911, though most books seemed to ignore the
whole thing. Since 13.0-0 Bh3 14.g3 Bxf1 15.Qxb7
fails to 15…Qf5, White should play 13.Nd2
Qxd2+ (Too risky
for Black is 13…Qxg2 14.0-0-0) 14.Qxd2
Nxd2 15.Kxd2. Though
some analysts have claimed near equality for
Black, I think his position isn’t very
pleasant--White’s fine Knight, and his
plan of doubling on the c-file and playing
b2-b4, gives him all the winning chances.
Since the position after 15.Kxd2
is in White's favor, we must look for salvation
in two separate lines (after 10.Qb3+):
Key position one: 10…Kf8
11.Qxb4+ Qe7 12.Qxe7+ Kxe7
Are there any good plans
for White floating out there (Actually, I’ve
found quite an interesting idea for White after
[13.0-0 Re8] that forces Black to play very
precisely. Unfortunately, I “gave” it
to a colleague for an upcoming book and am
not at liberty to share it with anyone else
at this time. However, if someone discovers
the same idea, my hands will be untied.)?
Key position two: 10…d5
11.Ne5+ Ke6!?
This is critical since 12.Qxb4
c5 creates a fighting game where Black’s
King makes an odd impression, while 12…Qf8,
forcing 13.Qxf8+, also deserves consideration.
So, is the Giuoco Piano dead as
a winning try, or does a reader have a way to
bring it back to life? |
