Openings #1 The Open Games

Italian Game - The Greco-Möller Attack - Overview

IM Valei Lilov presents a system in the Italian Game, where White seizes the initiative in the centre with 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4

After the best 5...exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ White can choose between the most aggressive and principled continuation is 7.Nc3, the moderate  7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2, or avoiding exchanges with the move 7. Nbd2. We see that it is primarily White who determines which type of position is played. This practical advantage for White is compensated by the fact that Black has good chances if they have done their homework.

 

 

We have summarised all the variations covered by Lilov in the replayer below. Feel free to play around a bit, activate the engine and test whether you develop a feeling for the position.