ECO C44 · Ponziani Opening

Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5

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

4… dxe4−0.41

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… dxe4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.414… dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 exd3 8. O-O Bd6 9. c4
  2. −0.224… f6 5. d3 a6 6. Ba4 dxe4 7. dxe4 Qxd1+ 8. Bxd1 Nge7 9. Bb3
  3. +0.054… a6 5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. O-O dxe4 7. Nxe5 Bd6 8. Qa4 Ne7 9. Qxe4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… dxe4 for Black, continuing 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 exd3 8. O-O Bd6 9. c4. Black is slightly better (−0.41). The next best moves are 4… f6 (−0.22) and 4… a6 (+0.05).
Is the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.41: black is slightly better. 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: Spanish Variation?
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+).