ECO C44 · Ponziani Opening

Ponziani Opening: Caro Gambit

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

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

5. exd5−0.19

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ponziani Opening: Caro Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Bd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. exd5 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.195. exd5 Nd4 6. Qd1 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Nf6 8. Be2 Bd6 9. c4 e4
  2. −0.465. d3 Nf6 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g3 h6 8. Bg2 Qc8 9. Nh4 Ne7
  3. −1.155. g3 Qf6 6. Bg2 Nd4 7. Qd1 Bh3 8. Bxh3 Nxf3+ 9. Kf1 dxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening: Caro Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Bd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. exd5 for White, continuing Nd4 6. Qd1 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Nf6 8. Be2 Bd6 9. c4 e4. The position is roughly equal (−0.19). The next best moves are 5. d3 (−0.46) and 5. g3 (−1.15).
Is the Ponziani Opening: Caro Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.19: 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: Caro Gambit?
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+).