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NimzoRoy
The Guico Piano arises from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 - 4.c3 isn't mandatory to make the opening a GP.
Consider the following stats from ChessBase's 2012 BIG DB (5.5 million games)
3.Bc4 55,000 games 54% winning percentage (W)
3.Bb5 a6 167,000 games 56% (W)
3.Bb5 ...? 70,000 games +56% in all lines except 2 (3...f5, 3...g6)
The Game Explorer (Master Games) shows
The Ruy Lopez is about 3x more popular in the CB BIG DB and 5x more popular in the Game Explorer...
hessmaster
those are some of my better games of the sicilian
xxvalakixx
There are 2 reasons.The first is that, e4-e5 openings are not played so often.Secondly,it is not give any advantage for black. For example.
DrSpudnik
Well, I guess that settles that. 1...e5 is for dimwits and so nobody plays it any more, because the Sicilian kicks ass every time.
ChessCooler
not true e5 is great
There are 2 reasons.The first is that, e4-e5 openings are not played so often.
After 1.e4 the Game Explorer shows e4-e5 openings are in fact played so often
ScorpionPackAttack
Probably because it's recommended for beginners, meaning that their book knowledge will mitigate any weak moves they would otherwise make. For example, without books a beginner may play ...Bb6 when Bb4+ is the only move that fights for equality. Other openings would create more complicated problems for the beginner that they aren't equipped to solve. It is recommended by some to play classically even as black, but unless the opponent is playing 1.g4 1.b4 1.g3 1.b3 and maybe 1.c4 (all of which mean that playing 1...e5 will ensure an imbalanced game) I don't see why I should just react to white.
As a beginner i used to play the italian, but other variations like four knights and such. Only when i study openings i decide to understand the idea behind the italian and begind the move of giuoco piano.
Just for you guys to know, i don't play it either, i play usually queen's gambit and sometimes ruy lopez (as white), i don't play this opening, i just don't like this opening, it's too boring and excpected, but i wondered how any player never (never!!!) played it against me.
The Giuco Piano isn't inherantly boring, but only seems that way because so many games throughout history started that way and it has been analysed to death. I was studying a Petrosian game and thought, "Four Knights game?! Good grief, but I'll stick with this study" Then, things started becoming imbalanced, and even interesting! For example, Petrosian made an eventual Qh5 move (presumably) meant to prevent black from playing ...h5, which ensured that white would carry on with his pawn storm. Petrosian was also so obsessed with the e6 square that he forgot an even stronger sac with Nf6, leading to a massive win in material or mate. On its own the four knights is boring, but that Four Knights' game taught me that the players themselves can make even the dullest openings interesting. Then again it is the middlegame where the interesting positions are anyway.
I always hate those lines where white trades the Nc6 then follows up with e5! Or, plays Qf3, which prevents ...b6 as e5 hits the knight while the queen stares down at the rook. I mostly like Sicilians with a6,e6, and d6 pawns, usually not moving the b-pawn until some other pieces move first. Though, I like a bishop on e6 as it watches the usually weak d5 square. I also usually know when to push for a ...d5 pawn break or even ...e5 if white has an f-pawn out like in the f4 open Sicilians.
traxlerman
Because Black achieves close to an equal position
Oh, here's the Petrosian game I was referring to:
LinuxMan
I used to play GP but I found that it lacks the teeth to force your opponent to be on the defense. Too many opportunities for your opponent to grab the initiative. As a class A player, I tend to play masked openings, meaning it could be started with something that may look unstandard and eventually develop it to a strong book opening.
IM pfren
Nice game, but mr. Novotelnov was too compliant right from the opening: by prematurely capturing on c3, he allowed white to play the desirable d2-d4 in one go instead of d2-d3 and later d3-d4. He also placed a mule at g6 after white had played g2-g3, where it was doing precisely nothing.
ChrisWainscott
I play the Italian rather frequently and here in Wisconsin it's undergoing something of a renaissance...
RybkaShredder
I play it for black. I am undefeated in OTB games with it from both colors. I occasionally play it as white if I need a win. I have two wins as white, two wins with black and one draw as black
cartmankyle
I've always liked the Guitar better.
AndyClifton
Hm, the Guitar Piano...
Honestly, I was trying really hard to reason why black played that, and in my notes noted it was weak at worst and at best a faulty defensive preparation. As for the Bxc3 yeah, that was premature and looked like a positional mistake but didn't want to sound like I think I know better than masters, so thought there was at least enough merit behind it (though analysing from the white side wasn't my problem) to be played on Petrosian's level to justify it (somehow). I still won't take up the four knights anytime soon, but I liked looking over that game and taking note of plans, imbalances, etc.
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