The Giuoco Piano

The Giuoco Piano is named after an Italian chess player called Gioachino Greco who lived in the 17th century. It is a good opening for a beginner. It aims at rapid development, occupation of the centre, and the Bishop threatens the f7 square, the weakest point in Black's army at the beginning of the game, and puts pressure on the d5 square. This series of moves also clears the king's side so that the White King can castle.

Here is how it goes: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5

Play could continue: 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Nce7 11. O-O O-O

In this game Black has equalised. Below is a game where White comes off better.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5 Ba5 10. dxc6 O-O 11. Qd5 Nd6 12. Bd3 Bb6 13. Bxh7+

The following is a Giuoco Piano game played by the American Paul Morphy. It was played on his twelfth birthday against his uncle. Paul was blindfolded so he could not see the pieces on the board. He played all of the moves by imagining the board in his head. His uncle was allowed to see the board. Paul Morphy went on to be the best chess player of his time! 

Position after:	(1) Morphy,P - Morphy,E [C53] New Orleans, 1849 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 d6 5.0-0 Nf6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 Bb6 8.h3 h6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Be3 Re8 11.d5 Bxe3 12.dxc6 Bb6 13.e5 dxe5 14.Qb3 Re7 15.Bxf7+ Rxf7 16.Nxe5 Qe8 17.cxb7 Bxb7 18.Rae1 Ba6 19.Ng6 Qd8 20.Re7 If 20. ...Nd5 21. Nxd5 Rxe7 22. Nf6# 1-0
	Generated with ChessBase 7.0