Ponziani Opening: How to Win This Chess Opening

© 2009 Bohdan Vovk

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Preface

This chess opening ebook was created not to be beautiful - It has been created to be useful for you
to learn the Ponziani Opening. To learn the Ponziani Opening, you are recommended to print this
ebook and replay the shown variations on the real chess board. See, understand, master!

Notice: While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the
Author does not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the
subject matter herein. This chess opening ebook is free and may be gifted.

A. Ponziani Opening: Introduction

A-1. General Information

Opening Type: Open Game

Move Order: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
ECO Code: C44

A-2. Screen Representation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3

A-3. General Description

The Ponziani Opening is one of the oldest chess opening. It is named after Domenico Lorenzo
Ponziani (1719 – 1796) who was an Italian law professor, priest, chess player, chess writer, and
chess composer. The opening is also called the English Knight's Game or Staunton's Opening.

The main features of the Ponziani Opening follow. By having moved on the third move a pawn on
c3, White goes for the center control. At the same time, the pawn on c3 slightly delays the White
development of the minor pieces (knight and bishop) at the Queen's side.
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Because of this, today the Ponziani Opening is being played rarely at all levels of chess. To some
extend, the Ponziani Opening is similar to the Ruy Lopes (3.Bb5) and Italian Game (3.Bc4 Bc5),
which are much more popular today...

It is a common opinion that the Ponziani Opening is not good for White to play and that Black can
easily get equal or better position... Being unpopular, the Pozniani Opening may be successfully
played for White against an unprepared opponent rated under 2000.

White can choose this chess opening if the game runs 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6. White moving on the
third move the pawn on c3 may surprise Black... Officially, the Ponziani Opening has at least 11
variations. 4-6 variations of the Ponziani Opening are the most common.

A-4. 5 Black Moves to Answer the Ponziani Opening

3... Nf6 - one of the best moves.

3... d5 - one of the best moves.
3... f5 - old one (original Ponziani's move).
3... Nge7.
3... Be7.

B. Ponziani Opening: How to Play It

B-1. Line Popularity

As of 2008-2009, at the chess master level FIDE rating 2000 at least:

The Line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 was popular for appr. 50%.
The Line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 was popular for appr. 40%.

The Line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5 was popular for appr. 5%.
The Line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nge7 was popular for appr. 3%.
The Line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Be7 was popular for appr. 2%.

B-2. 11 Variations of the Ponziani Opening

Ponziani Opening, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3

Ponziani Opening, Caro variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 Bd7

You are recommended to print the ebook and replay the shown variations on the real chess board.
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Ponziani Opening, Leonhardt variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 Nf6

Ponziani Opening, Steinitz variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 f6

Ponziani Opening, Jaenisch Counterattack variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6

Ponziani Opening, Fraser Defense variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 Nxe4 5.d5 Bc5

Ponziani Opening, Reti variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nge7

Ponziani Opening, Romanishin variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Be7

Ponziani Opening, Ponziani Countergambit variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5

Ponziani Opening, Ponziani Countergambit, Schmidt Attack variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5 4.d4 d6 5.d5

Ponziani Opening, Ponziani Countergambit, Cordel variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5 4.d4 d6 5.d5 fxe4 6.Ng5 Nb8 7.Nxe4 Nf6 8.Bd3 Be7

B-3. How to Play Some Variations

Ponziani Opening, 3... d5, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Bb5 dxe4 5.Nxe5 Qd5 6.Qa4 Ne7 7.f4 Bd7 8.Nxd7 Kxd7 9.Bc4
{White is slightly better. Black to Move.}

You are recommended to print the ebook and replay the shown variations on the real chess board.
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Ponziani Opening, Caro variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 Bd7 {Caro variation.} 5.exd5 Nd4 6.Qd1 Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Bd6
8.Bc4 Qf6 9.d3 Qxf3 10.gxf3 Ne7 {White is slightly better. White to Move.}

Ponziani Opening, Leonhardt variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 Nf6 {Leonhardt variation} 5.Nxe5 Bd6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.d3 0-0
8.Be2 Re8 {White is slightly better. White to Move.}

Ponziani Opening, Steinitz variation, C44:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 f6 {Steinitz variation} 5.d3 Qd6 6.Na3 Be6 7.Be2 a6 8.0-0 Nge7
{The position is equal. White to Move.}

You are recommended to print the ebook and replay the shown variations on the real chess board.
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Ponziani Opening, Jaenisch Counterattack variation, C44, Line 1:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 {Jaenisch Counterattack variation} 4.d4 Nxe4 {Line 1} 5.d5 Nb8
6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Qd4 d6 8.Qxe4 Qxe5 9.Bd3 {White is slightly better. Black to Move.}

Ponziani Opening, Jaenisch Counterattack variation, C44, Line 2:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 {Jaenisch Counterattack variation} 4.d4 Nxe4 5.dxe5 {Line 2} d5
6.Bb5 Bc5 7.Nd4 0-0 {Black is better. White to Move.}

Ponziani Opening, Jaenisch Counterattack variation, C44, Line 3:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 {Jaenisch Counterattack variation} 4.d4 exd4 {Line 3} 5.e5 Nd5
6.cxd4 d6 7.Bb5 {The position is equal. Black to Move.}

You are recommended to print the ebook and replay the shown variations on the real chess board.
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Ponziani Opening, Ponziani Countergambit variation, C44, Line 1:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5 4.d4 fxe4 5.Nxe5 Qf6 {Line 1} 6.Ng4 Qg6 7.d5 Nd8 8.Be2 Bc5 9.0-0 Nf7
{White is better. White to Move.}

Ponziani Opening, Ponziani Countergambit variation, C44, Line 2:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5 4.d4 fxe4 5.Nxe5 Nf6 {Line 2} 6.Bg5 Qe7 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Be2 Qe6
{White is better. White to Move.}

B-4. Do Not Play This

Within 3... d5 Line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5...

For White, do not play 4.exd5 because of this Black possibility:
4... Qxd5 5.d4 Bf5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 0-0-0+ 8.Nbd2 Nge7 9.Bb5 g5 10.Re1 h6 11.h3 Bg7
{Black will be better. White to Move.}

B-5. Ponziani Opening Traps

Nothing to report.

You are recommended to print the ebook and replay the shown variations on the real chess board.
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C. In Conclusion

Learning the Ponziani Opening variations, you are recommended to remember the opening's
ideas, development squares, and typical moves.

Note: All the final opening positions within the ebook have been estimated by a computer program.
You are advised to estimate the positions by yourself taking into account the following factors:
- Implementation of the main strategies (1. Development, 2. Control of the Center, 3. King Safety).

- Material ratio (Queen = 10, Rook = 5, Bishop = 3, Knight = 3, Pawn = 1).

- King positions.
- Pawn positions (doubled pawns, pawn islands, etc.).

- Strong and weak minor pieces (bishops and knights).

- Open lines, diagonals, and who (White or Black) controls them.
- Position specifications (weak squares, 2 bishops are stronger than 2 knights, etc.).

Thank you for learning “Ponziani Opening: How to Win This Chess Opening” and

To Your Success!

Note: You can get more on chess openings at:

chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com