Giuoco Piano Centre Trap
The Giuoco Piano centre trap: after 6.cxd4 the bishop must check on b4. Retreating with 6...Bb6? lets the white pawns roll over both knights.
The c3 and d4 plan in the Italian builds a pawn centre with tempo on the bishop. Where the bishop goes on move six decides the game. At club level the retreat 6...Bb6 is a common choice, and it loses.
How the Giuoco Piano Centre Trap works
Click a card to see it on the board, then play the punishment yourself.
How often does it work?
Counted in real rated Lichess games, not estimated.
| Rating | Reached the position | Played 6...Bb6? | Fall rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1400 | 993 games | 215 | 22% |
| 1500–1700 | 980 games | 162 | 17% |
| 1900–2100 | 836 games | 43 | 5% |
Sample: up to 1,000,000 rated Lichess games per rating band (May 2024), same move order only.
Among players rated 1800 and higher, 6...Bb6? was played in 3,835 of the games our puzzles are drawn from. Strong players fall for it too.
How to avoid the Giuoco Piano Centre Trap
What Black should play instead.
Now spot it in a real game
Knowing a trap by name is not the same as seeing it at the board. Solve positions from real games until the pattern fires by itself.
Giuoco Piano Centre Trap
Getting there…After 6...Bb6 the white centre is free to advance. 7.d5 chases one knight, 7...Ne7 8.e5 chases the other, and after 8...Ng4 9.d6 Black's position is cut in two with the king still in the middle. The engine's 7.e5 first is just as strong.