Ponziani Opening - Variations

Variations

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 the main continuations are:

• 3...Nf6, the Jaenisch Variation is considered Black's safest course and probably a deterrent to possible Ponziani adopters because positions arise ranging from the highly chaotic to dull passiveness. White continues 4.d4, consistent with 3.c3.
  • 4...Nxe4 often continues 5.d5 Ne7 (5...Nb8 is also playable) 6.Nxe5 Ng6, (not 6...d6?? when 7.Bb5+! wins material) and now either 7.Qd4 Qf6 8.Qxe4 Qxe5, a relatively new try 7.Qf3 or 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Qe2 Qe7 9.Bf4 d6 10.Na3 Rh5 11.0-0-0 Rf5 leads to equality according to MCO-15.
  • 4...exd4, Black can also play this move leading to a position that can arise in the Göring Gambit, meeting 5.e5 with either 5...Nd5 or 5...Ne4, leading to more double-edged play than after 4...Nxe4.
• 3...d5, is an aggressive response, striking back in the center. Usually in Kings Pawn openings an early ...d5 by Black would lose a tempo after exd5 Qxd5 when White plays Nc3 attacking the black queen. Here however, White is deprived of the move Nc3 as the c3-square is occupied by a pawn.
  • 4.Bb5 is considered inferior to 4.Qa4 but the game becomes sharp with chances for both sides, although Black may emerge with advantage after 4...dxe4! 5.Nxe5 Qg5! 6. Qa4 Qxg2 7. Rf1 Bh3.
  • 4.Qa4, White indirectly threatens the e5-pawn by pinning the knight. Black has to choose either to defend the e5-pawn with 4...f6, or 4...Qd6, or be prepared to sacrifice a pawn with either 4...Bd7, or 4...Nf6.
    • 4...Bd7, the Caro Variation, an unconvincing variation after 5.exd5 Nd4 6.Qd1 Nxf3 7.Qf3 Black has gambited a pawn with an unclear position.
    • 4...Qd6, protects e5 without weakening the pawn structure, the move is given an exclamation mark in Batsford Chess Openings 2, but does not mention the reply 5.d4, the main move in the later Nunn's Chess Openings.
    • 4...Nf6, the Leonhardt Variation. White can now gain material with 5.Nxe5, with theory giving 5...Bd6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.d3 0-0 8.Be2 Re8 with a position in which Black has compensation for the pawn.
    • 4...f6, the Steinitz Variation, protecting the central e5-pawn is considered solid and best but unnatural because it deprives the black knight of f6. The line can continue 5.Bb5 Nge7 6.exd5 Qxd5 with either 7.d4 Bd7 or 7.0-0 Bd7 and an equal position.
• 3...f5, the Ponziani Countergambit is an aggressive Black response originally suggested by the eighteenth century Italian writer, Ponziani. In 1951, Boris Spassky, whom later became World Chess Champion chose this Countergambit against Yakov Estrin who later became the World Correspondence Chess Champion. The countergambit is considered better for White after 4.d4 fxe4 5.Nxe5 Qf6 6.Ng4 Qg6 7.Bf4 or 5...Nf6 6.Bg5.
• 3...Nge7, the unusual Kmoch Variation was advocated by Hans Kmoch. According to Reuben Fine, citing analysis by Kmoch, Black equalizes after 4.d4 exd4 5.Bc4 d5 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.0-0 Be7 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.cxd4 Be6.