the Greco gambit

 Intro and early deviations #I.1

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

Here we are going to see an early deviation from the gambit, the move4. ...d6. This usually transposes to the lines we get at the deviation at move 7 - 7. ... d6.

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if Black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...b6? or5. ...e7?.

6. cxd4

b4+

Also here Black can deviate from our dream position and pursue a dubious route with6. ...b6?!.

7. c3

And we arrive at the starting position of the Greco Gambit. The e4-pawn is hanging - the c3 Knight is pinned and Black can take it. But White will get a lead in development full of threats. It's a very exciting game for White and Black has to be very careful not to misstep.

Nowadays, it's known that Black stands a little better after this move and the top players instead play7.d2or7.bd2

7... xe4

I've added a chapter where I explore how we reply to Black's alternatives to this move. We will see7. ...O-O,7. ...d5?!,7. ...xc3+, and7. ...d6

8. O-O

The Gambit has been accepted and that's the position we want to reach. The Knight is in danger so Black has two main choices:

8. ...xc3, the Greco Variation named after the Italian Master from the XVII century for his analysis on the variation, and to which we respond by taking the Knight9.bxc3 (chapter II) (and)8. ...xc3, to which we respond by advancing the d-pawn9.d5 (chapter III) (, the Møller Attack named after the Danish player who revived this line in 1898.)

Intro and early deviations #I.2

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

5. d4

b6

If Black is new to this variation he may try not to comply with White's plan at this point. Nevertheless, this is a mistake and White will at least win a pawn.

5. ...e7? is another alternative for Black to avoid the capture to which we'll respond in the same manner.See variation I.3.

6. dxe5

g4

The alternative is even worse6. ...xe47.d5 threatening checkmate on f7 and the Knight on e4, an important theme to know about and remember that can happen even in other openings and, in particular, the 5....Be7 variation.7. ...xf2+8.e2e79.xe4 +-.

7. xf7+

xf7

8. g5+

Picking up the Knight.

Intro and early deviations #I.3

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

5. d4

e7

We reply in the same way we do in the5. ...b6? variation. See variation I.2.

6. dxe5

xe4

The alternative6. ...g4 is better in this case as there's no sacrifice on f7. Nevertheless, not very good for Black.7.d5! again7. ...O-O8.h3h69.e3 and White can go Nbd2, castle long and the idea of going g2-g4-g5 will be very strong.

7. d5+-

And the Knight is lost - White will be up a piece.

This is a very important theme to remember that can happen in a lot of positions when the d-file opens up. A piece, a Queen or sometimes a Bishop jumps to the d5 and creates multiple threats, sometimes on f7 and a hanging Knight on e4, other times on two hanging Knights, one on c6 and the other on e4.

Intro and early deviations #I.4

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...b6? or5. ...e7?.

6. cxd4

b6?!

Black doesn't comply with our plans, but will be worse.

7. e5

Harassing the Knight and gaining space. White must be very active in this game and search for opportunities in every corner.

7... d5

The best response and the most popular one but not enough. We will see two other alternatives:7. ...e4 and8.e2 is our response, see variation I.5, and7. ...a5+ we respond with8.c3, see variation I.6.

8. exf6

dxc4

9. d5!

Harassing the other Knight, now!

9... b4

Saving the Knight and setting eyes on d3 and d5.9. ...a5? is just bad10.fxg7g811.O-O!xg712.h6 and our pieces will come to play very rapidly against a black King in the middle of the board.

10. a4+

c6

A good move to tactically defend the Knight on b4 (with Ba5) otherwise he will be lost and White up a piece for the rest of the game.

11. O-O

Now the Knight is in danger.11.xb4??a5! and good bye my beautiful Queen.

11... xd5

12. fxg7

g8

13. g5

The white pieces are coming out very quickly and the black King will be in the centre for quite a while.

13... d6

13. ...f6 just answer with14.e1+ and if14. ...f715.e5+xg716.h6+xh617.f7+ you win the Black Queen.

14. bd2±

Will Black survive this position?

Intro and early deviations #I.5

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if Black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...b6? or5. ...e7?.

6. cxd4

b6?!

Black doesn't comply with our plans, but will be worse.

7. e5

e4

This is the most popular way to try and save the Knight but is a poor move as we are going to see. We consider two other Black moves:

7. ...d5 the best response to which we answer with8.exf6, see variation I.4, and7. ...a5+ we respond with8.c3, see variation I.6.

8. e2

We start by attacking the Knight that's hanging on e4 with no squares to go to.

8... d5

8. ...a5+ could be a try but9.f1! is a great response to remember.

9. exd6

f5

9. ...O-O may be tried thinking on a pin on the e-file with the Rook wining the white Queen10.xe4 unfortunately it doesn't work10. ...e811.e5.

10. bd2

O-O

10. ...a5 to pin the Knight could be tried but has no effect11.O-Oxd212.xd2 the other Knight takes his place.

11. xe4

e8

Pinning

12. fg5!

Protecting and attacking! Black can't recover the piece if not losing an exchange next. The most sensible continuations give White a decisive advantage. Let's continue with the strongest one.

12... xd4

12. ...xe4 giving away the exchange directly is simpler for White just taking the Rook with the Knight is very good but13.xf7+! first is a bit better13. ...f8 keeping touch with the Bishop14.xe4xf7 14. ... Nxd4 would probably transpose to our continuation and simply15.O-O is very good for White.

13. xf7+

f8

14. d3

Saves the Queen and keeps protecting the Knight.

14... xg5

Fireworks! Here the following continuation is more probable to be expected but it's more forcing:14. ...xe4+15.xe4h4 attacking the Knight16.d5 saving the Bishop and protecting the Knight16. ...c6 attacking one of the defenders17.g5 counterattacking the Queen17. ...g418.h3xg219.e7+e820.f6+gxf621.xg2xd322.O-O-O. This is also complicated but like I said the moves are all more or less forcing for both sides, any deviation and it's losing.

15. xg5

xe4+

16. f1

e1+

17. xe1

It's important to take with the King otherwise the next move will be check.

17... xd3

18. d7+-

White is an exchange and a pawn up with a pawn one move away from promoting. The game is still complicated but White is clearly better.

Intro and early deviations #I.6

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if Black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...b6? or5. ...e7?.

6. cxd4

b6?!

Black doesn't comply with our plans, but will be worse.

7. e5

a5+

Second best move in the position but not very popular. We consider two other Black moves:

7. ...d5 the best response to which we answer with8.exf6, see variation I.4, and7. ...e4 and8.e2 is our response, see variation I.5.

8. c3

e4

8. ...d59.exf6 is similar to the variation starting with 7....d5.

9. O-O

This position resembles to the main line of the Greco Gambit and like it there are two more or less equal continuations here -xc3 andxc3. In this case, play will be very similar in both continuations namely because the e-file is closed and the Bishop is on a5 instead ofb4 where it would be attacked by the White pawn in case of 9. ...Nxc3 followed by 10.bxc3.

9... xc3

If the Bishop isn't attacked after this move, then it must be better to keep the Bishop.

10. bxc3

Now Black should play10. ...d5 (or even just short castle)11.exd6O-O to avoid the check on the e-file but after12.d5 we can see White is clearly better although Black is not losing immediately as in the following continuation.

10... xc3??

11. b3

11.a3 is not as powerful as in the main line mostly because the e-file is closed and therefore no check with the Rook or Queen.

11... xa1

Greedy but at this point what else?

12. xf7+

f8

13. a3+

d6

13. ...e7 ends the game14.g5d615.g6 and the pressure on f7 is unbearable - it's a force mate in 10 moves maximum.

14. xa1+-

At this moment we're an exchange down but already winning. Black as little to do to develop and the check by the a3-Bishop is a sword pending on Black's head. No need to memorize any further.

8. ...Nxc3 #II.1

1. e4

e5

2. f3

c6

3. c4

c5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... f6

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if Black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...b6? or5. ...e7?.

6. cxd4

b4+

Also here black can deviate from our dream position and pursue a dubious route with6. ...b6?!.

7. c3

And we arrive at the starting position of the Greco Gambit. The e4-pawn is hanging - the c3 Knight is pinned and Black can take it. But White will get a lead in development full of threats. It's a very exciting game for White and Black has to be very careful not to misstep.

Nowadays, it's known that black stands a little better after this move and the top players instead play7.d2 or7.bd2

7... xe4

8. O-O

The Gambit has been accepted and that's the position we want to reach. The Knight is in danger so Black has two main choices:

8. ...xc3, the Greco Variation named after the Italian Master from the XVII century for his analysis on the variation, and to which we respond by taking the Knight9.bxc3 (chapter II) (and)8. ...xc3, to which we respond by advancing the d-pawn9.d5 (chapter III) (, the Møller Attack named after the Danish player who revived this line in 1898.)

8... xc3

Taking with the Knight to try and keep the Bishop is a common move at this stage. Nevertheless,8. ...xc3 is more accurate for black.

9. bxc3

xc3

This is a bit greedy and already a mistake. We are also going to see:9. ...d5 is the best response and gives equality to Black if he plays correctly,10.cxb4 is our answer - variation II.6, and9. ...e7, not very good for Black but also seen in practice and10.d5 is how we punish it - variation II.7.

10. a3

We are keeping the black King in the centre not caring about the Rook on a1 which can not be taken.

10.b3 is also a good alternative for White although I think what we are looking at is more direct.

10... xa1??

Too greedy. The alternatives aren't much better:10. ...d6, the most popular move,11.c1! - variation 2,10. ...d5, the computer choice,11.b5 - variation 3,10. ...b4, to allow castle next,11.xb4 - variation 4,10. ...e7, also to allow castle next,11.b3 - variation 5.

11. e1+

e7

12. xe7

12.xe7+ also works.

12... xe7

13. xe7+

xe7

14. xa1+-

Learn Moves - Chessable

Intro and early deviations #I.6

1. e4

e5

2. Nf3

Nc6

3. Bc4

Bc5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... Nf6

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if Black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...Bb6? or5. ...Be7?.

6. cxd4

Bb6?!

Black doesn't comply with our plans, but will be worse.

7. e5

Ba5+

Second best move in the position but not very popular. We consider two other Black moves:

7. ...d5 the best response to which we answer with8.exf6, see variation I.4, and7. ...Ne4 and8.Qe2 is our response, see variation I.5.

8. Nc3

Ne4

8. ...d59.exf6 is similar to the variation starting with 7....d5.

9. O-O

This position resembles to the main line of the Greco Gambit and like it there are two more or less equal continuations here -Nxc3 andBxc3. In this case, play will be very similar in both continuations namely because the e-file is closed and the Bishop is on a5 instead ofb4 where it would be attacked by the White pawn in case of 9. ...Nxc3 followed by 10.bxc3.

9... Nxc3

If the Bishop isn't attacked after this move, then it must be better to keep the Bishop.

10. bxc3

Now Black should play10. ...d5 (or even just short castle)11.exd6O-O to avoid the check on the e-file but after12.d5 we can see White is clearly better although Black is not losing immediately as in the following continuation.

10... Bxc3??

11. Qb3

11.Ba3 is not as powerful as in the main line mostly because the e-file is closed and therefore no check with the Rook or Queen.

11... Bxa1

Greedy but at this point what else?

12. Bxf7+

Kf8

13. Ba3+

d6

13. ...Ne7 ends the game14.Ng5d615.Bg6 and the pressure on f7 is unbearable - it's a force mate in 10 moves maximum.

14. Rxa1+-

At this moment we're an exchange down but already winning. Black as little to do to develop and the check by the a3-Bishop is a sword pending on Black's head. No need to memorize any further.

8. ...Nxc3 #II.3

1. e4

e5

2. Nf3

Nc6

3. Bc4

Bc5

We are in the Italian Game. Many alternatives have been tried here by White.

4. c3

The Giuoco Piano, or the Quiet Game main line.

4... Nf6

5. d4

exd4

In this chapter we are going to see what happens if Black doesn't take the pawn and plays5. ...Bb6? or5. ...Be7?.

6. cxd4

Bb4+

Also here Black can deviate from our dream position and pursue a dubious route with6. ...Bb6?!.

7. Nc3

And we arrive at the starting position of the Greco Gambit. The e4-pawn is hanging - the c3 Knight is pinned and Black can take it. But White will get a lead in development full of threats. It's a very exciting game for White and Black has to be very careful not to misstep.

Nowadays, it's known that Black stands a little better after this move and the top players instead play7.Bd2 or7.Nbd2

7... Nxe4

8. O-O

The Gambit has been accepted and that's the position we want to reach. The Knight is in danger so Black has two main choices:

8. ...Nxc3, the Greco Variation named after the Italian Master from the XVII century for his analysis on the variation, and to which we respond by taking the Knight9.bxc3 (chapter II) (and)8. ...Bxc3, to which we respond by advancing the d-pawn9.d5 (chapter III) (, the Møller Attack named after the Danish player who revived this line in 1898.)

8... Nxc3

Taking with the Knight to try and keep the Bishop is a common move at this stage. Nevertheless,8. ...Bxc3 is more accurate for black.

9. bxc3

Bxc3

This is a bit greedy and already a mistake. We are also going to see:9. ...d5 the best response and gives equality to Black if he plays correctly,10.cxb4 is our answer - variation 6, and9. ...Be7, not very good for Black but also seen in practice and10.d5 is how we punish it - variation 7.

10. Ba3

d5

The computer choice but as bad as the other alternatives for Black:10. ...Bxa1?? loses,11.Re1+ will win the Queen - variation 1,10. ...d6, the most popular move,11.Rc1! - variation 2,10. ...Bb4, to allow castle next,11.Bxb4 - variation 4,10. ...Ne7, also to allow castle next,11.Qb3 - variation 5.

11. Bb5

Bxa1

Now11. ...Ba5 is terrible because the Knight on c6 is already pinned and12.Ne5 would come with finishing consequences.11. ...a6 and11. ...Bd7 may also be seen to which12.Bxc6 is a good response. Other moves like11. ...Be6 that has been seen lose quicker because they don't give nothing to Black12.Rc1 we save the Rook and our threats remain strong.

12. Re1+

No time to lose on taking the Bishop on a1. He is doomed any way.

12... Be6

13. Qc2

A twofold attack on the Knight on c6 that needs to be defended, otherwise, for example,13. ...a614.Bxc6+bxc615.Qxc6+Qd7 only move16.Qxa8+.

13... Qd7

13. ...Rb8 wasn't much better although it requires White to be very concrete14.Ne5 is necessary to keep the advantage14. ...Qf6, Black doesn't have much to do,15.Bxc6+bxc616.Qxc6+Kd817.Rxa1Re8 if instead the black Bishop moves we take the d5 pawn18.Rc1 and the threat on c7 forces Black to give back the exchange18. ...Re719.Bxe7+Qxe7 and20.Qc2 will give a clear material advantage as Nc6 with a royal fork is unavoidable.

14. Ne5+-

And Black has to give up the Queen.