Chess Opening Tutorial : Two Knights Defense and Giuoco Piano

Transpositions

2...Nc6 3.Nf3 is the simplest transposition, leading directly to the subject of this tutorial. If 2...Nf6, then 3.Nf3 allows the Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit with 3...Nxe4, which has nothing to do with our other lines, but 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nf3 is the Two Knights Defense with 4.d3, while 4...Bc5 is the Giuoco Piano with 4.d3.

Getting back to 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, the sequence 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 reaches the same position as 3...Nf6 4.O-O Bc5. Now 5.d4 exd4 (5...Bxd4 is better) reaches the same position as after 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O Bc5, which we discussed as the Max Lange Attack.

Other transpositions are possible from the Scotch Game 3.d4 exd4, if White continues 4.Bc4. Both 4...Nf6 and 4...Bc5 should look familiar, while 4...Bb4+ shouldn't, because Black hasn't played ...Bc5 or ...Nf6.

Index: Chess Opening Tutorial : Two Knights Defense and Giuoco Piano

1. Introduction
2. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5
3. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5
4. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5
5. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5
6. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7
7. 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4
8. 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4
9. 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3
10. Transpositions