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Train this openingAbout this opening
This is the main crossroads of the open games. Bc4 is the Italian: the bishop points at f7 and you can build slowly with c3 and d3 or strike with d4. Bc4 is the most played here. Bb5 is close behind and scores slightly better. That is the Ruy Lopez, and the threat on the knight is not real yet, because Bb5 a6 Bxc6 dxc6 Nxe5 runs into Qd4 and Black takes the pawn straight back. The Lopez bishop instead drops back to a4 and c2, where it stares at the black king for the rest of the game. d4 opens the center at once, for players who want a fight before move ten.
Plans
- Play Bc4 and aim at f7, then build with c3 and d4.
- Play Bb5 to provoke a6 and win the bishop pair later.
- Open the center with d4 before Black finishes developing.
- Castle short and bring a rook to e1.
Where the pieces belong
- Bishop: c4, hitting f7, or b5, pressing the knight
- Knight: f3, already attacking e5
- Pawn: d4, the break that opens lines
- Rook: e1, supporting the pawn on e4
- Knight: c3 or d2, depending on whether you play c3
Slow maneuvering if you choose c3 and d3, sharp if you play d4 early. Black's counterplay almost always comes from d5 or f5, so watch both squares.
Variations
Irish Gambit
3. Nxe5
Italian Game
3. Bc4
Latvian Gambit: Clam Gambit
3. d3 f5 4. exf5
Ponziani Opening
3. c3
Ruy Lopez
3. Bb5
Scotch Game
3. d4
Three Knights Opening
3. Nc3