Introduction (Read on for Chapter 1)

GM John Emms presents a flexible approach to the open games in his Beating 1. e4 e5 book. In studying his work, I will use this group to mark my progress and share my findings. Enjoy!

Move Two: An Early Decision

We choose to begin with the bishop's opening in order to evade the Petroff, which could otherwise result in positions very different than those in the Italian. The bishop's opening and Italian are quite similar.

Ambiguous Plans

GM John Emms wrote:

Plan A: White holds the centre, keeping things as blocked as possible and slowly builds up an attack on the kingside.

Plan B: White exchanges pawns on d5, castles kingside, pressures Black's centre and searches for dynamic piece play.

In the Giuoco Pianissimo, we wish to reach a position with have a knight on f3 and pawns on c3 and d3, with the option (but not requirement!) of breaking in the center with a d4 push. White may opt to keep the center closed and attack on the kingside instead. In my personal opinion, that is the power of this opening. White can choose to castle kingside, queenside, or not at all--the moment black commits to a direction, white can pick the plan most favorable.

A more concrete advantage is the movement of the queenside white knight, who often takes the trip Nd2-f1-g3. In delaying castling, we avoid blocking the f1 square with the rook. This way, the knight can arrive at its destination sooner, and without constraint.

Move Order

We choose to play 4. c3 so that the bishop may escape to the c2 square if the black knight comes to chase it at a later point with Na5, and to support a potential d4 push. Black doesn't have time at the moment to make the Na5 threat because the knight is busy guarding e5, and black isn't done developing.

According to Emms, 5. ...a6 has been the most popular choice in recent years as it retains flexibility for black:

Black has not yet castled
Black still has a choice on either a d6 or d5 push.

The utility of ...a6 extends beyond its role as a waiting move; it creates a hideaway for the black bishop. Without this move, white can trade a knight for that bishop with plans of b4, Nbd2-c4 followed by an exchange or capture on a5 or b6.

White generally plays Bb3 at one point or another (according to Emms--I personally lack the experience to validate this comment), so playing it now lets white continue to maintain an ambiguous position.

Note that up until 6. ...Ba3, black has been unable to break open the center with d5 (See variation on board above). If black tries 5. ...d5?, white can capture black's e5 pawn after the exchanges on d5. After 8. d4, black is a pawn down after the recapture of either the bishop or knight. Attempting to get the pawn back with 8. ...Bxd4 would cost black a minor.

7. h3 is white's final waiting move. It has the prophylactic property of keeping black's knight and bishop off of the g4 square. In addition, it helps white prepare for a dangerous kingside attack with a g4 pawn push should black choose to castle with 7. ...O-O.

Below, I present to you my summary and analysis of Chapter 1.

Open Game Sidelines