The Giuoco Piano
In this series, GMs Roman Dzindzichashvili and Melik Khachiyan explore one of the first chess openings to come into existence, the Giuoco Piano. While there are great advantages for Black in gaining the d5-square, the road to success is bumpy, to say the least. White players can use this series to master the d4 pawn-break.
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Giuoco Piano - Part 1: Two Knights Defense! Who's afraid of leaving the king on an open file? Not Dzindzichashvili! Today our video author shows the reputable Anti-Max-Lange Variation. Black snatches all of White's pawns and pieces then holds on for the ride. In fact, Black has several ways to equalize—It all depends on where Black wants the queen. Watch and see if you'd like to place her on a5, h5, or even the paradoxical d7!
Giuoco Piano - Part 2: Two Knights 5. e5! Join us for more incredibly deep analysis from Dzindzichashvili! Even though he calls it a preview, today's video goes in-depth on the e5-system in the Two Knights Defense. Analyzing both ...Ng4 and ...Ne4 (saving ...d5 for another day), our author shows that White can get an initiative well worth the sacrificed pawn. If you're going to play a gambit, you had better know your lines. Enjoy the open files and the video!
Giuoco Piano - Part 3: Max Lange Attack! Still thinking that the main-line Max Lange is the way to go for White? Well, Black may not allow it; Dzindzichashvili shows why you also need to know the main variations of the Giuoco Piano. But instead of the centuries-old Qb3 variation, he's got some of that good ol' Georgian home cookin' for you. Watch and learn a fighting method that improves upon the 19th-century masters.
Giuoco Piano - Part 4: 5. e5 d5! The "Quiet Game" is back under the microscope as Dzindzichashvili examines the system where White answers ...d5 with Bb5. Conclusion: Black is fine if she plays to defend the pin. But keep watching, and you'll learn that the "automatic" recapture ...bxc6 may not necessarily be best. Surprise your opponents by taking with the bishop, and you'll make this video author proud.
Giuoco Piano - Part 5: 5. e5 d5! The Unfinished Story Dzindzi shows off what amounts to a small book on the Two Knights Defense. He advocates for Black to play the reorganizing maneuver ...Bc5-b6 before attempting to advance the c- and d-pawns. Meanwhile, if White gets the e- and f-pawns going, then White is for choice. You'll also see some inventive queen sorties and exchange sacrifices. What's old is new again, as Roman's Lab is revised and dated theory is renewed!
Giuoco Piano - Part 6: More Max Lange! Finally! The main-line Max Lange arrives! However, there are two problems. Firstly, White only garners a small advantage if Black plays properly. Secondly, Black can avoid the Max Lange at any point! Because there are other reasonable defenses, you may end up wasting weeks or months studying the opening for White and never get to play it. Is the system fun? Sure! But it might just be for posterity.
My Giuoco Piano Khachiyan shares with us one of four games he played in an important main line of the Italian game. All the games are from one tournament!! This video includes his recommendations for opening lines, explanations of key middlegame maneuvers and concepts, advice for your thought processes, and more.
My Giuoco Piano 2 Khachiyan shows a second game of his from this main-line Italian Game, but this time he switches to the white pieces, and we get an insight into the kind of maneuvering that occurs with a locked center. Learn how to use a space advantage, what pawn breaks are important for White and Black, and when to open the game.
