ECO C44 · Ponziani Opening

Ponziani Opening: Vukovic Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6. dxc6−0.59

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ponziani Opening: Vukovic Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. dxc6 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.59).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.596. dxc6 Bxf2+ 7. Ke2 Bb6 8. Qd5 Nf2 9. cxb7 Bxb7 10. Qxb7 Nxh1
  2. −1.346. Be3 Bxe3 7. fxe3 Ne7 8. Nxe5 O-O 9. Bc4 Nf5 10. Qf3 d6
  3. −1.996. Qe2 Nxf2 7. dxc6 Nxh1 8. Qxe5+ Qe7 9. Qxe7+ Kxe7 10. Be2 dxc6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ponziani Opening: Vukovic Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. dxc6 for White, continuing Bxf2+ 7. Ke2 Bb6 8. Qd5 Nf2 9. cxb7 Bxb7 10. Qxb7 Nxh1. Black is slightly better (−0.59). The next best moves are 6. Be3 (−1.34) and 6. Qe2 (−1.99).
Is the Ponziani Opening: Vukovic Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.59: 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: Vukovic 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+).