Smogon Chess Tournament - connoisseur wins!

[Banedon]

Well as far as I know after:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. c3 Nf6
5. d4 exd4
6. cxd4 Bb4+

Then White's options are:

1. Enter the Greco attack with Nc3, which has been analyzed to death and leads to a forced draw. The main variation's like 20 moves long.
2. Nd2 loses the e4 pawn.
3. Bd2 leads to another equal position after 7. ...Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5, destroying White's centre (but it does not lose the e4 pawn, because after 7. ...Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4, White can play Bxf7+ followed by Qb3+ and Qxb4 to win the pawn back).

I know the line 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. b4 Bb6 7. a4, gaining queenside space has been somewhat popular lately, but I haven't played the Giuoco Piano for quite a while. It's a rather boring opening too, in my opinion >_<

 

[Mekkah]

Started: Feb 7th, 2010, 3:24:47 AM

Lol.

 

[Umbreon Dan]

man it's chess what did you guys expect :[]

 

[connoisseur]

it's not so much that 4. c3 isn't a good move (c3 nf6 5. d4 is mainline) but that the guioco piano isn't a great opening, imo.

Don't be hating my opening man. I like the Italian game, it is relatively simple, quiet and pretty reliable.