Giuoco Piano, Cracow Variation

The Cracow Variation meets the check with 7. Kf1, avoiding both the pin and the exchange of minor pieces that follow interpositions. White gives up castling and leaves e4 undefended, relying on the d4–e4 center and the thrust d5 for compensation. The most common reply, 7...Nxe4, is met by 8. d5, driving the knight back. 7...d5 is considered strongest, and the engine regards the position as roughly balanced to slightly better for Black.