The Giuoco Piano is a chess opening beginning with the moves:
- 1. e4 e5
- 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 3. Bc4 Bc5
White's "Italian bishop" at c4 prevents Black from advancing in the center with ...d5 and attacks the vulnerable f7-square. White plans to dominate the center with d2–d4 and to attack the Black king. Black aims to free his game by exchanging pieces and playing the pawn break ...d5, or to hold his center pawn at e5.
Common alternatives to 3...Bc5 include 3...Nf6 (the Two Knights Defence), 3...Be7 (the Hungarian Defence), or 3...d6 (the Paris Defence).
Read more about Giuoco Piano: History, Variations, ECO Codes
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