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

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Ponziani Opening
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black kingc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black knightd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black pawnf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 black kinge4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 white pawnd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 white knightg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 black kingd2 white pawne2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 black kingh1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3

Ponziani Opening

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3. c3

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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

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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
+=

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References

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

((Play the Ponziani)) Taylor/Hayward