Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. c3

Ponziani Opening
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p3/4P3/2P2N2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKB1R b
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3

Ponziani Opening

3. c3

The Ponziani opening is one of the oldest openings in chess history and chess books as it supports an immediate d4. Although it’s rarely seen in tournaments, it’s very underrated as white can control the centre and develop pieces quickly.

Some evaluations:

The defense 3. ...Nf6 often leads to a game where White has a small space advantage plus a small time advantage. Not really a bad deal at all. This defense, however, is rather quiet and drawish.

The defense 3. ... d5 leads to a good fight for both sides but really the person who knows current theory best will probably get a very good game.

The defense 3. ... f5 fairly often leads to a White advantage but again theory must be known.

The defense 3. ... d6 will usually lead to a positions often reached via the Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Variation, which are usually just fine for White.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3

		4	5	6	7
	... d5	Qa4 f6	Bb5 Nge7	exd5 Qxd5	O-O Bd7	=
	... ...	Bb5 dxe4	Nxe5 Qg5	Qa4 Qxg2	Bxc6 bxc6	=+
	... Nf6	d4 d5	Bb5 exd4	e5 Ne4	Nxd4 Bc5	=
	... f5	d4 fxe4	Nxe5 Qf6	Ng4 Qg6	Bf4 d6	+=

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

((Play the Ponziani)) Taylor/Hayward