Italian Game · C53

Classical Variation, Center Holding Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7 5. d4 Bb6

The pawns on d4 and e5 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. The c4 bishop eyes f7 and both sides castle fast; the real fight starts when White engineers c3 and d4 and Black must decide how to meet the centre.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.

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