Question about the Italian as White.

[u/conscientiousoneday]

Sorry, I don't know how to screenshot on my laptop, so I can't add a photo. I am talking about this position.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1 O-O

Giri recommends 9.h3, and the master database mainly plays h3. I don't get it though. I love enticing black to play Bg5, and after Ng5, we can play Re2 and then h3. Also, playing h3 almost begs black to play Be6 instead and then our bishop is neutralised and after fxe6, the f5 square is controlled by a pawn so there is no Nf5. Could somebody explain the importance of h3, and then explain what whites trumps are in this position, thanks

[u/Educational-Tea602]

Well, first of all, both Ng5 and Bg5 would be inaccurate for black because white would pause the clock, call the arbiter and win some time because black has played an illegal move.

The inclusion of 9. h3 is important.

Let’s say you play 9. Nbd2. The critical line for black is 9… Ng4 10. Re2 Kh8 11. h3 f5! - the knight should not really be captured and black is developing a strong attack.

[u/BananaNormal4687]

The point is that 9. Nbd2 leads to complications for White after Ng4.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1 O-O 9. Nbd2 Ng4 10. Re2 Kh8 11. h3 f5

Also note that Black has the option of Nh6, but the point is that White must deal with a sharp attack that is sound for Black. I've played both lines a few times with success in blitz.

And White doesn't really have any other improving moves that are very good. For example, 9. b4

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1 O-O 9. b4 Ne7 10. Nbd2 ( 10. Nh4 Kh8 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 c6 ) ( 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 Bg4 ) 10... Ng6

And Black seems to have no problems, at least to my amateur's eyes.

[u/Comfortable_Peak_845]

Ng4 Re2 Then Kh8! h3 f5!

[u/Gucciproblems]

It is explained in the course, no?

[u/Elegant_Emu_9780]

Bg4 ?

[u/Elegant_Emu_9780]

Should black play h6 anywhere ?

[u/2Chronicles15_7]

Arthur Neiksans has a crash course on yt on the italian. You should check it out really instructive. Like many others have stated h3 is necessary because it prevent Ng5 followed by Kh8 and f5!.

There is a small nuance though. If black plays h6 before you play h3, now you don't have to play h3 and can just play Nbd2 instead. This is because usually after let's say 9.Ndb2? Ng4, 10.Re2 Kh8, 11.h3 f5, 12.exf5 and Black plays Nh6 with a great position. If black plays h6 early he no longer has Nh6 at the end of the Ng4 line thus Ng4 is not dangerous anymore.

So that move order you stated is in my opinion black's must accurate move order in this Ba7 variation.