The main reply 4.Nf6 was first analysed by Greco in the 17th century. White plays 4.c3 in preparation for the central advance d2–d4. 4.Bxf7+ ? Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5, the Jerome Gambit, an unsound opening where White sacrifices two pieces in the hope of exposing Black's king and obtaining a mating attack.d4, the Italian Gambit, in which White opens up the centre, avoiding the quiet lines of the Giuoco Piano and Giuoco Pianissimo. 0-0, often with the intention of meeting 4.Nf6 with 5.d4, the Max Lange Gambit, with similar ideas to the Italian Gambit but with some transpositional differences. This opening was popular in the 19th century, more than the standard Giuoco Piano. b4, the Evans Gambit, in which White offers a pawn in return for rapid development. The main continuations on White's fourth move are: Anatoly Karpov used the Giuoco Pianissimo against Viktor Korchnoi twice in the 1981 World Championship match, with both games ending in a draw Garry Kasparov used it against Joël Lautier at Linares 1994, resigning after 29 moves Vladimir Kramnik chose it against Teimour Radjabov at Linares (2004) Viswanathan Anand used it to defeat Jon Hammer in 2010 Magnus Carlsen used it against Hikaru Nakamura at London 2011, winning in 41 moves and Ian Nepomniachtchi used it against Magnus Carlsen in the 2021 World Championship match, losing in 49 moves.

In modern play, grandmasters have shown distinct preference for the slower and more strategic Giuoco Pianissimo (4.d3, or 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3). The Giuoco Piano was popular through the 19th century, but modern refinements in defensive play have led most chess masters towards openings like the Ruy Lopez that offer White greater chances for long-term initiative.

The Portuguese writer Pedro Damiano played it at the beginning of the 16th century and the Italian Greco played it at the beginning of the 17th century. The Giuoco Piano is one of the oldest recorded openings.

Jogo piano white go