Giuoco Piano

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Giuoco Piano
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White: Joseph B. Pratt
Black: John P. Pratt
Date: 31 Dec 2007
Location: American Fork, Utah

This recent game was at a New Year's Eve family tournament. It is a good example of what I call the Back Door Attack. I took a chance sacrificing a piece in a tournament, but it worked out well and this same idea might work for you too.

1. e2-e4, e7-e5.

2. Ng1-f3, Nb8-c6.

3. Bf1-c4, Bf8-c5. So far this is a standard Giuoco Piano opening.

4. Nb1-c3, Ng8-f6.

5. O-O, d7-d6. Both of us are being cautious here.

6. Bc4-d5, Bc8-g4. White prematurely attacks before developing his other bishop. That gives Black a chance to grab the initiative.

7. h2-h3, Bg4xf3. White encourages Black to trade, which is what Black wants anyway.

8. Qd1xf3, Nc6-d4. Black can save his knight and keep up the attack.

9. Qf3-d3, c7-c6. Black needs to protect his knight pawn and rook from attack.

10. Bd5-c4, h7-h5. Here is the crucial position. With White's king knight removed and queen out of the way, that is the signal to attempt the Back Door attack. White's king knight was needed to keep Black's queen away. He purposely avoided castling until needed just to allow this possibility. So he advances his rook pawn to set the trap.

11. b2-b3, Nf6-g4. White tries to develop his queen bishop and rook which are being suffocated. Black offers the bait. A free knight! Do you see why Black makes such an offer?

12. h3xg4, h5xg4. White takes the bait and could still save himself with 13. Qd3-g3.

13. a2-a4, Qd8-h4! Hooray, White did not see it coming! Now he has only one move to prevent mate by the queen, without losing his own queen.

14. f2-f3, Nd4-e2 mate. White cannot move out of the double check!

1. e2-e4, e7-e5.
2. Ng1-f3, Nb8-c6.
3. Bf1-c4, Bf8-c5.	So far this is a standard Giuoco Piano opening.
4. Nb1-c3, Ng8-f6.
5. O-O, d7-d6.	Both of us are being cautious here.
6. Bc4-d5, Bc8-g4.	White prematurely attacks before developing his other bishop. That gives Black a chance to grab the initiative.
7. h2-h3, Bg4xf3.	White encourages Black to trade, which is what Black wants anyway.
8. Qd1xf3, Nc6-d4.	Black can save his knight and keep up the attack.
9. Qf3-d3, c7-c6.	Black needs to protect his knight pawn and rook from attack.
10. Bd5-c4, h7-h5.	Here is the crucial position. With White's king knight removed and queen out of the way, that is the signal to attempt the Back Door attack. White's king knight was needed to keep Black's queen away. He purposely avoided castling until needed just to allow this possibility. So he advances his rook pawn to set the trap.
11. b2-b3, Nf6-g4.	White tries to develop his queen bishop and rook which are being suffocated. Black offers the bait. A free knight! Do you see why Black makes such an offer?
12. h3xg4, h5xg4.	White takes the bait and could still save himself with 13. Qd3-g3.
13. a2-a4, Qd8-h4!	Hooray, White did not see it coming! Now he has only one move to prevent mate by the queen, without losing his own queen.
14. f2-f3, Nd4-e2 mate.	White cannot move out of the double check!