Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4
6… Ne7−0.51
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Ne7 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.51).
Top engine moves
- −0.516… Ne7 7. Nxc6 Nxc6 8. O-O Bd7 9. d4 exd3 10. Rd1 a6 11. Bxd3
- 0.006… a6 7. Nxc6 Qxb5 8. Qxe4+ Ne7 9. Nd4 Qd5 10. Qxd5 Nxd5 11. O-O
- +0.236… Qxe5 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. Qxc6+ Kd8 9. Qxa8 Nf6 10. Na3 Qg5 11. O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Ne7 for Black, continuing 7. Nxc6 Nxc6 8. O-O Bd7 9. d4 exd3 10. Rd1 a6 11. Bxd3. Black is slightly better (−0.51). The next best moves are 6… a6 (0.00) and 6… Qxe5 (+0.23).
Is the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.51: 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, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin 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+).