that was what it was? I thought that it was because white can almost always play d4 in the ruy without sacrificing a pawn. It seems hard to take advantage of the a6 b5 pawn structure because white usually just plays in the center with c3 instead of c4 for example. The other idea is that if black plays inferior moves white can play in scotch game fashion with d4 with no preparation except that black's knight is pinned so it's largely improved. They are pretty similar though. Guioco piano should be used when you want to sacrifice because on c4 the bishop has some potential tactics but since in the ruy you can play d4 easily, it's good for positional players. I think you can play the Italian positionally but black equalizes.
Giuoco Piano vs Ruy Lopez
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Because people are stupid and think the Giuoco Piano is a quiet line. Which it's not, unless you play Nc3
So when played positionally, the piano is slightly worse than the ruy, but at least it has less theory. The gambits of the piano are pretty theoretical, though, and is probably technically the best way to play it, because otherwise the ruy lopez gives white a superior position.
I think Ruy is more flexible and safe opening for beginners other than the very sharp Giuco Piano. Since, one mistake for Piano can cost the whole game. And these mistakes are not obvious especially if you do not know the line properly.
I think you are overlooking some important factors in your analysis
You talk about Black developing his queenside pawns. In fact, those advanced pawns on a6 and b5 give White a target. It is very common for White to push a4 attacking the b5 pawn and forcing Black to weaken his queenside pawns by advancing them further, or surrendering the a-file to White. Play over some GM games and you will see this plan over and over again
There are also some real advantages to having the bishop on b3 instead of c4. In Italian/Two Knights games, Black can aim for an equalizing d5! move. Since the pawn attacks both the Bc4 and the e4 pawn, White is often forced to exchange pawns, liquidating the center and equalizing the game. When the white bishop is on b3, Black's d5 push is less effective
Strong players have been playing both these openings for over 150 years. There are ideas in there!
Nov 2, 2023
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#7
Garry Kasparov has stated that the Piano does not give white an advantage. The main lines are pretty equal, and the gambits are also equal, just after more theory. In the Ruy, White gets d4 and e4 and can keep this center, or White gets a slightly better endgame (Berlin) in the main lines.
i have a real answer
ruy lopez:
in this position white has a lot more targets, and is more actively developed and gets to claim a full center
italian:
in this position, white has little to no targets, may have issues with development, and will find it hard to create any imbalances if black plays correctly with the Na5+c5 manuver
Does anyone know why the Ruy is more popular that the Italian (Giuocco Piano)?
Its seems like in the Ruy the Kings bishop gets bounced around a lot before settling on the B3 square while black is developing his queen side ponds. Doesnt it make more sense to place the white bishop on C4 to begin with as is in the Giuoco Piano?