Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. c3/3...d5
| Ponziani Opening | |
|---|---|
|
a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h | |
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
| Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 | |
| ECO code: C44 | |
| Parent: Ponziani Opening | |
| Responses: | |
3...d5
[edit | edit source]With 3...d5 Black threatens dxe4, taking advantage of the fact that, if 4. exd5 Qxd5, Nc3 is not an option to chase the queen away because White has played c3. 3...d5 is most chess engines' preferred move and the second most common response to the Ponziani by masters, behind the Jaenisch Counterattack with 3...Nf6.
Here 4. d4? would be a mistake, as White's e pawn is hanging. After 4...dxe4 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 ∓, White's king is stranded in the centre and Black has the initiative.
Therefore 4. Qa4 is White's best option. By pinning Black's knight on c6 to their king, they have undefended Black's e pawn and threaten Nxe5. After 4. Qa5, Black has choices for how to protect the e5 pawn.
White's alternative 4th move to pin the c6 knight, 4. Bb5? the so-called Spanish variation, loses to 4...dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qg5! ∓ forking the knight and g2 pawn and x-raying the bishop.
Theory table
[edit | edit source]
1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caro gambit | Qa4 Bd7 |
exd5 Nd4 |
Qd1 Nxf3+ |
Qxf3 f5 (Nf6) |
d4 e4 |
Qd1 Bd6 |
c4 b6 |
Nc3 Nf6 |
=/∞[1] |
| Steinitz variation | ... f6 |
Bb5 (d3) Nge7 |
exd5 Qxd5 |
d4 e4 |
c4 Qd7 |
d5 exf3 |
gxf3 Qh3 |
dxc4 b6 |
∞[1] |
| Leonhardt variation | ... Nf6 |
Nxe5 Bd6 |
Nxc6 bxc6 |
d4 Nxe4 |
Qxc6+ Bd7 |
Qxd5 O-O |
= |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b Kasparov, Gary; Keene, Raymond (1986) [First published 1982]. Batsford Chess Openings (4th ed.). London: B.T.Batsford Ltd. pp. 299–300. ISBN 0 7134 2114 2.
See also
[edit | edit source]
- Taylor, Dave; Hayward, Keith (2010). Play the Ponziani. London: Everyman Chess. ISBN 1 8574 4620 8.