1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3
In the 1980s, the Italian Opening regained some popularity when a system was developed in which White initially builds up modestly with d3 and c3. The philosophy of this style of play is that the central advance d3-d4 can also be enforced later, but all the more effectively. Basically, White pursues a strategy similar to many variations of the Closed Spanish. The game develops much more slowly than in the Greco-Möller Attack, but the system is positionally sound, sustainable and quite dangerous. Since Black doesn't have to parry any direct threats, they have a wide choice of moves. After 4...Nf6 5.c3, the "loss of tempo" 5...a6 is surprisingly one of the main variations.
This gives the important bishop c5 a safe retreat square on a7 if White plays b4 and a4 to gain space on the queenside. White, on the other hand, will often retreat their white-squared bishop to b3 early in order to prevent an exchange with Na5. The bishop is then offered a safe square on c2, and although this initially looks very passive - as in many variations of the Spanish Game - it can still play an important role in the game after a later d3-d4 and further opening in the centre. Another Spanish theme also recurs in the position, namely the knight move Nb1-d2-f1-g3 (e3). This slow manoeuvring is characteristic of this type of position. Based on the second diagram, a typical sequence of moves could look like this: 6.Bb3 Ba7 7.Nbd2 d6 8.Nf1 0-0 9.Ng3 Be6 10.0-0 Re8 11.h3 h6.
If you like to slowly outmanoeuvre your opponent positionally, but want to avoid the mountain of theory from the Spanish, you've come to the right place. Understanding the plans is far more important than knowing concrete variations.