Lessons From Altea VII: The Great Equaliser

YOU may think the Giuoco Piano and the Sicilian have little in common, apart from both arising after 1.e4, and of course in many ways that is correct.

But my round-eight game at the Cap Negret 65+ seniors illustrates what I believe is a strong connection, at least from a conceptual view.

The game began 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a6!? 6.Nbd2 0-0 7.0-0.

How should Black proceed?

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In the Sicilian it is often remarked that if Black can successfully play ...d5, Black's game will be at least equal, and may well be better.

But Black had better get it right - a premature ...d5 often leaves Black's game in great difficulties.

The same applies, I believe, in the Giuoco Piano, which is why in the diagrammed position I was keen to be able to play 7...d5!?

Although the move has been played by grandmasters, it is not liked by Stockfish17 or Dragon1, and after it White scores an excellent 66% in ChessBase's 2025 Mega database.

Black is by no means lost, but Black's game is tricky to play, as the continuation of 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Re1 f6? 10.d4 Bb6 11.dxe5 showed, my position being in ruins, or at least badly compromised.

LESSON: in the Giuoco Piano, as in the Sicilian, ...d5 is a powerful weapon, but it must be timed correctly.