Lesson
White to move. Main line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 a6
Unlike sharper Italian lines, 4.d3 keeps the center closed and protects e4. White prepares d4 with c3 and Re1; Black mirrors the solid setup and uses ...a6 to create room for ...Ba7 or prepare ...b5.
White often reroutes the b1-knight through d2 and f1 to g3, then chooses d4 or a kingside expansion. Black can answer in the center with ...d5 or gain queenside space. The best break depends on piece placement, so premature pawn moves can waste the flexibility of the setup.
This is a useful opening for learning plans because neither side is forced into immediate tactics. At each move, ask which central break you are preparing, which opposing break you must restrain, and where your least active piece belongs.