Chess Opening Tutorial : Two Knights Defense and Giuoco Piano

3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7

After 5.O-O O-O (5...d6 to play a quick ...Bg4 is another idea), White's options are similar to those in the previous diagram.

• 6.Bb3 removes the Bishop from an annoying attack by ...Na5 or ...Be6, and waits to see whether Black continues 6...d6 or 6...d5 7.exd5.
  
  
• 6.Re1 stops 6...d5. After 6...d6 7.a4 (White has other moves like 7.c3), Black can play in the center with 7...Be6, on the Queenside with 7...Na5, or on the Kingside with 7...h6 (preparing ...Nh7) or 7...Kh8 (preparing an eventual ...f5).
  
  
• 6.c3 allows 6...d5. Black can also continue as in the previous note with 6...d6 7.a4 followed by the choice of 7...Na5 8.Ba2 c5, 7...Kh8, and 7...h6.
  
  
• 6.a4 is a flexible move for White, giving the Bishop a safe square at a2 if attacked by ...Na5.
  
  

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