Giuoco Piano

The Giuoco Piano begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5. It is a branch of the Italian Game in which both king's bishops develop to active squares. White's bishop on c4 points at f7, while Black's bishop on c5 points at f2.

Both bishops point toward the opposing king

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StartBc5

The Italian Game before 3...Bc5

White's bishop is already active on c4. Black's bishop move will turn this position into the Giuoco Piano.

The Italian name is commonly translated as quiet game. It describes an initially balanced position, not a game without tactics. Both sides have developed naturally and must still decide how to transform the center. If either player opens lines before completing preparation, play can become very sharp.

Three continuations with different ideas

• 4.c3 prepares d4. White aims to build a strong center; after certain exchanges, a white pawn on d4 may attack the bishop on c5.
• 4.d3 enters the Giuoco Pianissimo directly. White supports e4 and delays the d4 break.
• 4.b4 begins the Evans Gambit. White offers a pawn to deflect Black's bishop and gain time for c3 and d4.

Three fourth moves, three different tempos

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4.c3 prepares the central advance d4.

White chooses how to transform the center

All three moves belong to the Giuoco Piano, but they pursue different plans. None is an automatic continuation.

1. 4.c3 prepares the central advance d4.
2. 4.d3 supports e4 and enters the Giuoco Pianissimo.
3. 4.b4 offers a pawn and begins the Evans Gambit.

Choosing the fourth move does not complete the plan. Both players usually castle, finish development, and watch for d4 or ...d5, pawn advances that can transform the center. The bishop on c4 or c5 may also need to retreat if a pawn advance attacks it.

Giuoco Piano names the position after 3...Bc5 and its major continuations. It should not be used as a synonym for the whole Italian Game or only for its slowest systems.