Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Walbrodt-Baird Gambit

In the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Walbrodt-Baird Gambit, white wants to play e4 to gain control of the center of the board and develop their pieces rapidly. By occupying the center, they restrict black's movement and create potential threats towards black's pieces. Additionally, e4 can also help white to open lines for their queen and bishop and put pressure on black's defenses.

Black wants to play e5 after 1. e4 to also contest control of the center of the board. This move also leads to the development of Black's knight, allowing Black to support the pawn on e5, while freeing the bishop on c8. As well as this, by playing e5, Black looks to neutralize the pressure that White exerts on that square, making it difficult for White to occupy it. Playing e5 is also a very common opening response as it helps Black maintain symmetry on the board.

White plays Nf3 after 1.e4 e5 to bring another piece into the game and control the center. Knight moves also allow the pawn structure to be maintained, which could lead to a future pawn push on d4. Nf3 also indirectly attacks Black's e5-pawn and prepares the way for a future pawn or piece move to support it. In addition, developing the knight to f3 allows for future possibilities of castling kingside and connecting the rooks.

In the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Walbrodt-Baird Gambit, Black plays Nc6 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 to also gain control of the center and develop a piece actively. Placing the knight on c6 allows it to attack White's e5-pawn and defend its own e5-pawn. Additionally, the knight on c6 supports Black's d4 pawn break and prepares the way for castling kingside. By developing the knight to c6, Black also aims to control key squares in the center and put pressure on White's position.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, White plays Bc4 to develop the bishop and control key squares in the center of the board. The move also helps White to place pressure on the pawn on f7, which is vulnerable to attack. Additionally, Bc4 supports the knight on f3 and prepares for the potential of castling kingside. Finally, Bc4 creates a potential skewer on the black bishop, forcing it to move or be traded, which can be advantageous for White's development.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, Black plays Bc5 to also develop a piece and control key squares in the center of the board. Placing the bishop on c5 allows it to attack White's f2-pawn and potentially gain control of the d4-square. Additionally, the bishop on c5 supports Black's knight on c6 and prepares for the potential of castling kingside. By placing the bishop on c5, Black also aims to create pressure on White's position and achieve equality in the center of the board.

In the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Walbrodt-Baird Gambit, White plays c3 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 to reinforce the d4-square and prevent Black from pushing the pawn to that square. The pawn on c3 also allows White to safely develop the knight on d2 and castle kingside. Furthermore, the move creates a potential discovered attack on the black bishop if it moves away from the c5-square. Playing c3 also supports White's central control and restricts Black's movement in the center of the board.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3, Black plays Nf6 to continue with their development by attacking White's pawn on e4. By placing the knight on f6, Black also gains control of central squares and prepares to install their knight on d5, which would put pressure on White's pawns and pieces. Additionally, Nf6 supports Black's light-squared bishop and allows for the potential for castling kingside. This move is an important part of Black's strategy to create counterplay in the center and equalize the game.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6, White plays d4 to disrupt Black's central control and create tension in the center of the board. The move attacks the knight on f6 and supports the pawn on e4, which would be highly valuable in the center. The pawn on d4 also restricts the scope of Black's light-squared bishop, which is currently pointing at White's kingside. Playing d4 is an important part of White's plan to create a space advantage and gain a foothold in the center of the board. The move also allows White to develop their dark-squared bishop, which can now be played to c4 or b5.

In the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Walbrodt-Baird Gambit, Black plays exd4 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 in order to capture White's pawn and exchange material in the center of the board. The move creates tension in the center and allows Black to open lines for their pieces, especially their queen and bishop. Furthermore, exd4 reduces the pressure on Black's position and clears away the potential for a future discovered attack on the knight on f6. However, playing exd4 also means that Black has to give up control of the d4-square, which White might be able to occupy with their knight.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4, White plays O-O to declare the king safe and connect the rooks. Castling kingside also allows White to better protect their pawns and place additional pressure on Black's position by potentially bringing their rook to the center of the board. Furthermore, O-O prepares the way for White's knight to move to f5, which can put pressure on Black's position. By castling kingside, White also takes an important step towards securing their position, which can be crucial in the middle game.