Ponziani Opening
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3
3… d5−0.18
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ponziani Opening (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.18).
Top engine moves
- −0.183… d5 4. Qa4 Bd7 5. exd5 Nd4 6. Qd1 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Nf6 8. Bc4
- −0.143… Nf6 4. Bb5 Nxe4 5. O-O Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Be7 8. d4
- +0.393… Nge7 4. Bc4 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 Bg4 8. h3
All Ponziani Opening variations (12)
- Caro GambitC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Bd7
- Jaenisch CounterattackC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6
- Leonhardt VariationC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Nf6
- Neumann GambitC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Bc4
- Ponziani CountergambitC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 f5
- Romanishin VariationC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Be7
- Réti VariationC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nge7
- Spanish VariationC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5
- Steinitz VariationC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 f6
- Vukovic GambitC441. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black, continuing 4. Qa4 Bd7 5. exd5 Nd4 6. Qd1 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Nf6 8. Bc4. The position is roughly equal (−0.18). The next best moves are 3… Nf6 (−0.14) and 3… Nge7 (+0.39).
Is the Ponziani Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.18: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Ponziani Opening?
C44. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).