Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Italian Game

Giuoco Piano, Aitken Variation

C54gambittacticalaggressive

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bc4Bc5
  4. 4.c3Nf6
  5. 5.d4exd4
  6. 6.cxd4Bb4+
  7. 7.Nc3Nxe4
  8. 8.O-ONxc3
  9. 9.bxc3Bxc3
  10. 10.Ba3
1,192 games69%28%

A Giuoco Piano line in Greco's Attack where White meets 9...Bxc3 with 10. Ba3, sacrificing material to keep Black's king in the center.

Train it in Theoria

About the Aitken Variation

Named after the Scottish master James Aitken, this line answers 9...Bxc3 with 10. Ba3 instead of Greco's 10. Qb3, a trap that 10...d5 parries. The bishop controls the a3–f8 diagonal, hindering Black's castling, while the a1-rook is left en prise. The engine gives White a large advantage, and White scores heavily after the common 10...Bxa1. Black's recommended deviation comes a move earlier with 9...d5.

Popular continuations