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Questions tagged [fianchetto]

To fianchetto is to develop a bishop on one of the long diagonals, at b2/g2 (for white) or b7/g7 (for black).

The fianchetto is a term for the development of a bishop to the second rank of the adjacent knight's file, after having moved the knight's pawn one or two spaces. The main idea behind such a development of the bishop is that it is placed on one of the longest diagonals on the board, potentially increasing its scope/activity, and it can increase central control by surveying two key squares (either e4 and d5, or d4 and e5).

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How is "fianchetto" really pronounced?

I have heard "fianchetto" for four decades now, and I have always pronounced it "fēənˈCHetō", but I have heard many people also pronounce it "fēənˈketō". It is of Italian origin, so I am wondering if there are any Italians out there, especially…
PhishMaster
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Why is it a good idea to fianchetto above the castled King? If I do that, should I make sure to leave the Bishop there for a while to guard the hole?

I understand why fianchettoing can be helpful, even deadly to an opponent, but should it really be done on the side which the King castles into? I realize that the King's Indian Defense/Attack involves fianchettoing on the kingside as well as…
Daniel
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Learning the hypermodern style

Which openings and middle game tactics are highly used when a player utilizes a hypermodern style of gameplay? What particular tactics are most effective when playing hypermodern?
Chris Bunch
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When and why should I trade minor pieces?

After looking at bishop placement and bishops compared to knights i came to the following question: When would it be beneficial to trade a knight for a bishop, or vice versa? This includes the following: Trading a fianchettoed bishop and a…
Aric
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Fianchetto bishop vs. normal bishop?

I have found the following disadvantages of the fianchetto bishop: 1) The diagonal it controls is often blocked by the knight in its natural square. 2) The diagonal it controls is often blocked by central pawns of the same team or of the…
guru
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Did Indian systems really have fianchettos?

Wikipedia quotes: The Indian Defences by g6 coupled with d6, or b6 coupled with e6, were largely taught to European players by the example of Moheschunder and other Indians, to whom the fianchetto developments were a natural legacy from their…
Rahul Gopinath
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How can I play Colle System against Kingside Fianchetto?

I enjoy the Colle System as white, because it often leads to a strong kingside attack for white without exposing my own King to significant danger. However, when my opponent castles behind a fianchetto on the kingside, I often struggle to understand…
Eric Wilson
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When is it a good idea to capture the fianchettoed bishop?

According to Simon Williams, from 25:10 and forwards of this stream, his opponents attempt at capturing his fianchettoed bishop with a bishop and queen battery is not a good idea "in these types of positions". So, thus I ask: When is it a good idea?…
Björn Lindqvist
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Is it good to take a fianchettoed Bishop?

I have faced this fairly often in quite a few openings, but there seems to be a theme with players putting their Bishop on a square like h6, supported by a queen and attacking the fianchettoed Bishop next to the castled King. What are the ideas…
Arkleseisure
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QGD :: should Black fiancheto his King's Bishop?

A common line in the orthodox line of the QGD goes something like this: [FEN ""] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Here's the part that puzzles me. According to the database in 365chess Black's most common response in 4...Be7 presumably to…
Marcus Junius Brutus
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Where does the term 'fianchetto' come from?

I know what a fianchetto is, developing a bishop on the 2nd/7th ranks on the long diagonals. But how did the word 'fianchetto' come into play as a chess term?
carrizal
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Understanding when it's OK / not OK to trade off the fianchettoed bishop

In this position: [FEN ""] 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Bc4 d6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.O-O b5 7.Bb3 b4 8.e5 bxc3 9.exf6 Bxf6 10.bxc3 O-O 11.Bh6 According to the lichess database, the most common move here for Black is Re8. However, the engine says Bg7 is the…
James Ko
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Response to King's fianchetto opening

Currently I am facing some difficulties playing as black when my opponent plays 1.g3. In the midgame actually my position gets cramped. Is there some strong response to 1.g3? I actually want some good defense lines to counter 1.g3.
Akash Roy
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KID fiancetto variation - reason for c6 after Nd7

I've noticed that when black goes Nd7 in the KID fiancetto variation, then often he follows up with c6. What is the main reason(s) for this? Especially, I'm asking this question as often the d6 pawn afterwards becomes subject for attack by white.…
acye
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Why is the g3 and Bg2 set up so strong vs the Dutch?

Why is the g3 and Bg2 plan so strong vs the Dutch? For example, in other main openings (KID, Gruenfeld, Queen's Gambit, Queen's Indian) it's just an alternative to the "classical" systems, those with no early Kingside fianchetto. A strong one maybe,…
A. N. Other
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