Open, Italian Variation

In the Italian Variation, Black answers 9. c3 in the Open Ruy Lopez by developing the bishop to c5 instead of the Classical 9...Be7, where it increases the pressure on f2. White most often replies 10. Nbd2, the St. Petersburg Variation, intending Bc2 to attack the e4 knight twice. After 10...O-O 11. Bc2, Black has the Dilworth sacrifice 11...Nxf2. The Motzko Attack, 10. Qd3, is a rarer alternative. Engines assess the position as close to balanced.