Italian Game: Paris Defense: what to play after d6?

In the Italian Game: Paris Defense (ECO C50), White's most testing and mathematically favored continuation is the central strike d4. By striking directly at the center, White exploits Black's passive pawn structure, leading the engine evaluations at +0.38 and securing a 54.2% scoring rate across 4.75 million games.

Central confrontation with d4

Choosing d4 represents the most frequent path in the database, played in 26.2% of the more than 18 million recorded positions. Black's early pawn advance to d6 forfeits immediate pressure on d4, allowing White to challenge the e5 pawn right away. A central resolution often follows the path d4 exd4 Nxd4 Nf6 O-O Be7, where White develops naturally, secures kingside safety, and maintains open lines for the remaining minor pieces.

Positional alternatives: c3 and O-O

White can also steer the game toward slower strategic setups. Castling immediately with O-O appears in 22.2% of games (eval +0.36, scoring 52.1%) and often transposes back toward central breaks via O-O Be7 d4 exd4 Nxd4 Nf6. Alternatively, c3 (eval +0.35, 19.7% of games) builds support for a classical broad center; an illustrative continuation includes c3 Be7 Qb3 Nh6 d4 O-O, applying early pressure on the f7 square.

Developing moves: Nc3 and h3

The developing move Nc3 is chosen in 20.8% of recorded games, yielding an evaluation of +0.29 and scoring 53.0%. Black may attempt to harass the light-squared bishop in lines like Nc3 Na5 Bb5+ c6 Bd3 Be6. Finally, the prophylactic h3 (eval +0.32, scoring 54.6%) accounts for 11.1% of outings, where play can continue h3 Be7 d4 exd4 Nxd4 Nxd4, keeping piece options flexible before deciding on pawn structures.