(1) Typical Ideas in the Italian Game

The Italian game (Giuoco Piano) is a very popular opening on all levels. For chess
professionals, it is a safe haven from forcing variations of the Ruy Lopez. For club players, it
is often a sound and solid opening scheme that can provide the basis for a long-term
opening repertoire.

However, the ability to play both the opening and the middlegame in the Italian game well
depends largely on our understanding of the typical strategic ideas.

This opening is full of move order transpositions and subtleties and features a variety of
typical central structures and plans that have a strong impact on the arising middlegames
and even endgames.It is, therefore, best to study this opening as a collection of tabiyas or
typical middlegame positions.

In this video, we will explore five typical middlegames that can arise from this opening. As
already noted in the introductory video, I will present the material in the form of model
games.
 Model game 1: Lu Shanglei-Ding Liren 0-1, Danzhou 2017

➔ We discuss the typical middlegame with …Nf6-g4 sortie.

This move is typically played in response to White’s Rf1-e1 as then the f2-pawn becomes
vulnerable.

The best moment for Black to play …Ng4 is when:

1) White cannot easily play d3-d4 (usually if White has already played Nbd2)

and

2) When Black has not already played …h6 himself.

The Importance of the first condition is obvious, but of the second is less so, so let me
explain:

- The reason why …h6 is not helpful for the success of …Ng4 plan is that after White’s
typical response Re1-e2 followed by h2-h3 on the next move, Black will not be able to
retreat the knight on h6 anymore.

- In the game Lu Shanglei-Ding Liren, both preconditions were there, so Black obtained
a good position as he followed up …Ng4 with …Kh8, …Nh6 and …f5!, which allowed
him to obtain very good counterplay on the kingside even after White eventually
managed to push the thematic d3-d4.
 Model game 2: Duda-Anton Guijarro draw, Tata Steel 2021

➔ We discuss positions when White goes Bc1-g5 and pins the knight on f6. In
such cases, Black almost invariably breaks the pin with …h6, Bh4 g5.

Some players are afraid of White’s typical piece sacrifice Nxg5 hxg5, Bxg5 which renews the
pin.

- However, in most cases, Black can neutralize White’s initiative and remain with extra
material by continuing …Kg7!, …Rh8, and even …Kg6! In some lines.

- On the other hand, if White retreats the bishop to g3, we get an interesting middlegame
where Black can hardly push …d6-d5 in the near future but rather focuses on developing
kingside play thanks to his advanced g-pawn.

a) One of the most popular plans for this purpose is …Nf6-h7, preparing …h5, …h4,
…g4 etc. It leads to sharp and double-edged positions.

b) On the other hand, Black can also play …Bg4, pinning the f3-knight and planning to
cover the f5-weakness with …Nc6-e7 maneuver.

In the model game Duda-Anton Guijarro, the black player demonstrated the latter plan
superbly and even managed to take a positional initiative in the middlegame.
 Model game 3: Ding-Carlsen 1-0, Carlsen Invitational 2020

➔ We discuss positions where White goes for the queenside expansion plan with
a2-a4 and b2-b4.

This plan has been designed as an improved reply to Black’s common move …a6, when
most white players would typically play Bc4-b3 so as to hide the bishop on c2 and gradually
prepare d4-break.

However, the practice has shown that in these positions Black often succeeds in pushing
…d6-d5 first and obtains a fine position in the middlegame, particularly in the structure that
arises after exd5 Bxd5.

On the other hand, White have learned that if they answer …a6 with a4, then they do not
need to retreat the bishop to c2, but they can rather exchange it on e6 when Black offers that
trade. After Bxe6 Rxe6, b4 Ba7, White abandons the typical d3-d4 plan and often tries to
build up his initiative on the queenside in a fairly symmetrical and close-to-equal position.

Model game Ding-Carlsen is a perfect example of that as the world champion succumbed
under pressure in a rapid game against another Italian game specialist.
 Model game 4: Firouzja-Nepomiachtchi 1-0, Norway Chess 2021

➔ We discuss a typical Italian game structure that appears after Bxe6 fxe6
exchange.

This structure can arise from many different move orders, but it has some common features
and guidelines that both sides should be aware of.

- From a positional point of view, Black is at a disadvantage since doubled pawns on

the e-file can prove to be a liability in the middlegame and particularly the endgame.

- On the other hand, the dynamic potential of the semi-open f-file and for the kingside
attack compensate for these structural deficiencies, particularly in the short term.

Black’s plan should, therefore, be:

• To quickly develop an initiative on the kingside, typically with …Nf6-h5, …Qe8-g6 and
doubling the rooks on the f-file.

• It is also important to time the …d5-break well because it can provide an extra spark
for the attack and help Black undouble his pawns after exd5 exd5 exchange.

Meanwhile, White should:

• Start by exchanging the remaining pair of bishops on the e3-square (Nf1/c4, Be3)

o What is the best way to recapture on e3 after …Bxe3? It is important to

remember that it is often with the rook! The rook patrols on the third rank,
covering all the potential weaknesses there, particularly when Black
completes his …Nf6-h5-f4 maneuver.

• White should then not hurry with the d3-d4 break but should rather secure control
over the f4-square by preparing g2-g3.

• Only once the kingside has been consolidated can White safely prepare d3-d4 break.

The model game Firouzja-Nepomniachtchi is an excellent example of this patient strategy.

 Model game 5: Bologan-Karjakin 0-1, Moscow 2012

➔ Finally, we discuss the plan …Ne7-g6

The plan …Ne7-g6, is not closely related to the Italian middlegame tabiya that will be
discussed in part 2. Nevertheless, this is an essential plan that both White and Black need to
be aware of.

I compare and contrast two scenarios:

1) (In the game Giri-Salinas) in which Black takes his time to prepare …c6 and …d5 but is
one move too slow and White pushes d3-d4 first.

• In such positions, Black is solid but often quite cramped and can be pressed on all
parts of the board, as Giri aptly demonstrated.

• However, if Black speeds up the …d5-break by deliberately omitting usual

preparatory moves like …h6 and …Re8, he has better chances to obtain an active
position.

2) In the model game Bologan-Karjakin, we can see how Black is even ready to sacrifice a
central pawn after Bc1-g5 to make this strategy work.

• Even though Karjakin didn’t follow up his pawn sacrifice in the best way, it still
promises Black a good middlegame.