ECO C44 · Ponziani Opening

Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack

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

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

4. d4−0.19

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

Analyze this position

In the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.194. d4 Nxe4 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. dxe5 Bc5 8. O-O O-O
  2. −0.234. Bb5 Nxe4 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 Nd6 7. Bxc6 dxc6 8. Nxe5 O-O
  3. −0.324. d3 d5 5. Nbd2 a5 6. Be2 a4 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. O-O Be7

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3 d5
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3 d5 5. Nbd2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing Nxe4 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. dxe5 Bc5 8. O-O O-O. The position is roughly equal (−0.19). The next best moves are 4. Bb5 (−0.23) and 4. d3 (−0.32).
Is the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack 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: Jaenisch Counterattack?
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+).