Expert Repertoire against the Italian – Part 1 by GM Michael Roiz

We are happy to present the newest opening project of GM Michael Roiz – Expert Repertoire against the Italian.

After providing a complete repertoire against the Ruy Lopez (See Complete Spanish Repertoire for Black – Sidelines and Complete Spanish Repertoire for Black – The Breyer System), GM Michael Roiz decided to continue with the Italian.

His repertoire suggestion is based on 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6

Compared to the immediate 3…Bc5, this system avoids many dangerous systems such as the Evans Gambit and all kinds of setups based on c2-c3 and d2-d4. In return, White has the additional option of 4.Ng5 which is a serious move. Since the material is extensive, GM Roiz decided to split his anti-Italian repertoire into 2 databases.

In the current database, he deals with the aggressive moves 4.Ng5 and 4.d4. The second database is dedicated to White’s most popular choice 4.d3. The database consists of 10 theoretical chapters, 15 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (2h and 15min Video Running Time)

The database starts with the old gambit line 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0

This old gambit line can still be seen on a high level from time to time. White invites the opponent to grab another pawn, which is the beginning of interesting tactical complications.

In Chapter 1 Roiz proves that 5…Nxe4 is perfectly acceptable for Black. In many lines, we can even overtake the initiative.

Chapter 2 deals with the position arising after 4.d4 exd4 5.e5

The most common choice. White is relying on the strong e5-pawn, that heavily restricts the mobility of the opponent’s pieces. The suggestion of Roiz is based on the line 5…d5 6.Bb5 Ne4 7.Nxd4 Bc5

It turns out, that Black can ignore the threat of Nxc6. As it becomes clear in the annotations to the current chapter, complications are working fine for Black.

From Chapter 3, Roiz starts dealing with the highly challenging 4.Ng5 system. The first important starting point arises after 4…d5 5.exd5 Na5

In this chapter, besides the standard 6.Bb5+, Roiz also examines the original 6.d3?! which was successfully employed by the great David Bronstein. However, objectively it puts White in danger.

The main line goes 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6

At this point, White has a wide range of possible options – 8.Bf1, 8.Qf3, 8.Be2, and 8.Bd3. All these moves are dealt with in Chapters 3-9.

According to Roiz, the most challenging continuation seems to be 8.Bd3. The main line goes 8…Nd5 9.Nf3 Bd6

Black is planning to follow up with …Nf4 on the next move. White has two main moves here – 10.0-0 and 10.Nc3. These continuations are dealt with in Chapters 8 and 9. White usually allows …Nxd3, thus accepting a compromised pawn structure. The arising positions are highly irrational. In his analysis, Roiz proves that the bishop pair as well as the good central control are not less important than White’s extra pawn. Theoretically speaking, Black is doing fine in all the lines.

The last Chapter 10 is dedicated to 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nc3

This last chapter is a kind of introduction to the second database which will be dealing with 4.d3. On the diagram, we have a well-known theoretical position, that can be reached with different move orders. Now Black is at crossroads. The suggestion of Roiz is 5…a6. As usual, this prophylactic move is mainly aimed at securing a7 for the bishop. In the annotations to Chapter 10, Roiz proves that Black manages to equalize without too much effort.