Main lineC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3
In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds e5.
C44
Ponziani Opening
16 named lines in this family, ECO C44. Every one of them opens 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.
The moves every line here plays
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
- 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.
Jaenisch Counterattack, through 3... Nf6C44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6
Ponziani CountergambitC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 f5
Romanishin VariationC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Be7
Réti VariationC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nge7
Jaenisch Counterattack, after 4. d3, through 4. d3C44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3
Neumann GambitC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Bc4
Spanish VariationC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5
The pawns on d5 and e4 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. Black's knight on c6 is pinned against the king.
Caro GambitC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Bd7
Jaenisch Counterattack, after 4. d3, through 4... d5C44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3 d5
Leonhardt VariationC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Nf6
Steinitz VariationC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 f6
Jaenisch Counterattack, after 4. d3, through 5. Nbd2C44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3 d5 5. Nbd2
Ponziani Countergambit, Schmidt AttackC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 f5 4. d4 d6 5. d5
In the centre, White holds e4 and d5 while Black holds e5.
Vukovic GambitC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5
The structure hands White the half-open e-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.
Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin GambitC44
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4
An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.
Walk these lines on a board
An account opens every move's note in this family, the plan behind each line, and a trainer that plays the line back at you. It is free.