Italian Game: Paris Defense: what should Black play?

In the Italian Game: Paris Defense, Black reaches an unusual sideline after White plays an early queenside expansion. Modern engine analysis indicates that g6 offers Black comfortable play with an evaluation of -0.19, preparing to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop while blunting the light-squared diagonal against c4. While g6 is the top computational recommendation, the solid developing move Be7 remains the primary practical choice, appearing in 43.6% of recorded games (3.5K recorded) with an evaluation of -0.18.

Positional Plans with g6 and Be7

Black's main strategic task is handling the tension in the center while resolving kingside development. By opting for g6, selected in 8.9% of games (707 recorded), Black takes control of key dark squares and sets up an active kingside fianchetto. An illustrative continuation demonstrating this plan runs g6 d3 Na5 Bd5 Nf6 b4, where Black immediately challenges White's bishop pair. Conversely, the classical retreat Be7 avoids pawn weaknesses and keeps the kingside compact, followed naturally by lines such as Be7 Nc3 Nf6 d4 Bg4 Bb5.

Alternatives: f5, Na5, and a6

Black also possesses sharper and more direct alternatives in this position. The aggressive thrust f5 is chosen in 17.0% of games (1.4K recorded) and achieves full equality with an engine evaluation of +0.00; play can become double-edged following f5 d3 Nf6 Ng5 Qe7 Nf7. Players seeking an immediate confrontation with White's active bishop often opt for Na5 (12.3% of games, 983 recorded, evaluation +0.01), which leads to Na5 Bb5+ c6 Be2 c5 O-O. Finally, the waiting move a6 accounts for 18.2% of games (1.4K recorded, evaluation +0.05), meeting central expansion via a6 d4 exd4 Nxd4 Nxd4 Qxd4.