Italian and Scotch for Black – Ambitious Repertoire June 13, 2025 GM Lucas van Foreest GM Pier Luigi Basso

Forget playing for equality with the Black pieces. This isn’t another defensive repertoire—it’s a weapon designed for ambitious players who need to win with Black, round after round.

GMs Lucas van Foreest and Pier Luigi Basso have crafted something truly exceptional: a repertoire that steps away from the theoretical highways and gives you fresh, aggressive systems where understanding trumps memorization every time.

The Revolutionary Approach

Against the Scotch Opening

The Van Foreest Discovery: 4…Bb4!?+

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4, instead of the well-trodden paths, Van Foreest introduces 4…Bb4!?+—a line developed while coaching 2700+ players who needed to avoid theoretical battles.

For years, conventional wisdom suggested White held a stable advantage here. Van Foreest’s deep analysis reveals the opposite: Black gets fascinating positions where all three results are in play, catching even well-prepared opponents off guard.

Against the Italian Game

The h6-g5 System: Creative Counterplay

Built around 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 h6, this system employs a prophylactic approach that prevents Ng5 before launching dynamic counterplay with …g6 or the audacious …g5.

The beauty lies in the flexibility: you’re not memorizing endless variations but learning the strategic concepts that make these positions tick.

Course Architecture

16 Theoretical Chapters – Complete coverage from main lines to critical sidelines
30 Interactive Test Positions – Test your knowledge of typical ideas in important positions
Memory Booster – Interactive testing of critical lines identified by our GM team
Video Version – 3h 44min of expert analysis
Basso’s 15-Minute Repertoire – Get playing immediately with the core concepts

Chapter Breakdown

Chapters 1-5: The Scotch Opening

• Van Foreest’s 4…Bb4+ innovation
• Handling White’s main continuations
• Creating counterplay in simplified positions

Chapters 6-8: Italian Game Theory

• Dealing with 4.Ng5 d5 lines
• Early deviations and fresh approaches
• Stepping away from forcing theory

Chapters 9-16: Complete System

• Flexible setups against all White tries
• The h6-g5 system in depth
• Handling sidelines with confidence

What Makes This Different

This repertoire operates on ideas, not memory. You’ll understand why moves work, not just what moves to play. Even when facing opponents who outrate you, you’ll have practical winning chances because these lines reward understanding over rating points.

Perfect for:

• Tournament players who need to play for wins with Black
• Advanced club players seeking fresh weapons
• Anyone tired of theoretical arms races in main lines
• Players who enjoyed Deferred Steinitz for Black – Top-Level Repertoire and want to complete their 1…e5 arsenal

The Van Foreest-Basso Partnership

Lucas van Foreest brings cutting-edge opening preparation refined at the highest level, while Pier Luigi Basso contributes his trademark clarity and practical approach. Together, they’ve created a repertoire that’s both deeply sound and genuinely ambitious.

Start Playing Today

With Basso’s signature 15-minute overview, you can implement these ideas immediately. The complete course then builds the deep understanding needed for long-term success.

Course Includes:

• Complete theoretical framework
• Interactive training positions
• Video analysis by both authors
• Memory consolidation tools
• Immediate-play overview

This repertoire stands as the natural sequel to Deferred Steinitz for Black – Top-Level Repertoire by the same authors, while remaining completely independent. Whether you’re expanding your 1…e5 arsenal or considering the King’s Pawn for the first time, this course provides everything needed for confident, aggressive play with the Black pieces.