ECO C44 · Ponziani Opening

Ponziani Opening: Steinitz Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 f6

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

5. d3−0.18

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

Analyze this position

In the Ponziani Opening: Steinitz Variation (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 f6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. d3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.18).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.185. d3 Ne7 6. Nbd2 Bd7 7. Qb3 Na5 8. Qd1 c5 9. d4 cxd4
  2. −0.225. Bb5 Ne7 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. d4 Bg4 8. c4 Qe4+ 9. Be3 Bxf3
  3. −0.525. exd5 Qxd5 6. Qb5 Qxb5 7. Bxb5 Bd7 8. d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Nxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening: Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 f6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. d3 for White, continuing Ne7 6. Nbd2 Bd7 7. Qb3 Na5 8. Qd1 c5 9. d4 cxd4. The position is roughly equal (−0.18). The next best moves are 5. Bb5 (−0.22) and 5. exd5 (−0.52).
Is the Ponziani Opening: Steinitz Variation 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: Steinitz 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+).