Regarding the comment that 9. ... Bd6 is the normal move in the Caro variation and it has a big plus for Black---The theory of the Ponziani has been stagnet for years.

Very few players, even GMs have not know how to play the White side in many variations. The fact that one move may have a large plus will mean little if someone has to play a Ponziani player who knows current theory [and there are very very few of such players :)]

I am co-author of Play the Ponziani and would be glad to answer any question re this opening or 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5

Regarding the Caro Gambit if Black plays 7. Bd6 then the correct follow up is 8. Bc4 f5 9. d4 and White retains his opening move advantage. I am one of the authors of Play The Ponziani.

also 41-qa3#

I employ the Ponziani as a main line weapon against those that like the Ruy so that it throws them off a little.  I think that the reason that the writers leave it out is because they are mostly 2400+ players that won't ever use this but thought that it should be in their book.  If you are looking for a suprise weapon then this will work well and work to like 2000 USCF or 2300 on chess.com and if you are playing bullet then it might go a little higher. 

A very nice article.  Many authors on the main opening lines provide only a scant space on the Ponziani in their books but the games and analysis presented in this article show  a fresh look-out of the opening and is here to stay particularly of the 2200 and below chessplayers.  I remember that Ljubojevic and Romanishin sometimes employed it in their games back in the 70s and 80s (e.g. Llubojevic-Karpov 1976). 

Again as I said before I have watched both of these videos after you guys brought them up.  When i went through and looked how far he goes into the lines I noticed a pattern that you can confirm.  He goes into the trap lines and lines that give white a definite attack. He concentrates on the moves that are used to trip black up.  He doesn't go into lines that come up if the other player knows the opening. 

I would, however, suggest that you watch the movie if you have time because it does give some insight that i didn't

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOZLHeKWhTQ

BTW there is a nice to see introduction of this opening on youtube.

This was one of my first openings i learned because it was on video.
These days i dont play it anymore, maybe it lost its charm not sure why.
After it i tried many other openings.

You really must be tired. lol you're correct. Bxc4 winning the queen

P.S. I'm still soo in love with the Ponziani since reading your article as it's proved itself very well for me in the last 2 days. :)

I feel so stupid for asking this, because I MUST be missing something, but in the first game you note that 17...Qxa2?? followed by 18.Ra3 wins the queen. Apparently I've lost my mind because I can't visualize why 18...Qc4+ isn't a safe escape..?!? Please help. :) Or alleviate my confusion by telling me it's a mistake on your part. Perhaps there's a quick combo that makes 18...Qc4+ bad that I don't see.

Ok, I just typed out this entire post and looked up to double check and FINALLY noticed the bishop after 5 minutes of hunting.... I must be reeeallly tired...FML... lol. I don't know why I'm still posting this anyway... Whatever... :)

That's easy i play the scandinavian to the best of my ability, i do know more than one opening. lol. Just play the mainline scandinavian and you will have a shot. 

Thanks for the input.  I have changed the demonstration game to something better but white still comes out on top.

As for the move 6...Bd6 I have never seen that move.  I think that's because the people that I play it against are lower on the totem poll than you guys.  I have seen Qd6 which was uncomfortable, and hard to play against. 

As for the guy that did that youtube video I have to say that I disagree with him in calling the Janisch counter attack (3...Nf6) a mistake.  The reason is that he looks at it from a oversimplified view. I would say that due to the frequency of the move 3...Nf6 in GM games that this move is a sound move but isn't the best try for Black.  From what I have gotten back from you guys I would have to promote the Caro variation with Bd6 which has been shown to give White lots of trouble.

As for the comment about this opening being for daredevils i would agree to an extent.  I use it as a suprise opening to knock people who don't know it into the 3...Nf6 line and then press them to make a mistake or fall into a trap.  It is not the soundest of lines but if you can push your opponent where you want him to go then you control the game from there.

um... in the example game you played against yourself explaining the en passant capture of 11.dxc6 the ending position is white up a piece and can win the game with Qxf7+... I think you should recheck the bishop sacrifice at move 18...

I play this opening myself but the caro variation is dificult for wite, it has a plus for black! But there are peaple whit lower raitings who do not know the opening and there are a lot of funny traps in it so it is a opening for deardevils but its fun if you are an attacking player.

wow thats amazing i was watching a video on youtube about this opening and i come here and i see an article about it.Maybe i should give it a try.

Nakamura, great player but rather unrelated.  He's actually in my next article on the thing so come back for his game. 

Cs Sharpe- Yeah Qa3# is correct but when I put it in I didn't and still don't know how to put in secondary correct answers.  If you or anyone else knows how and you feel like passing it along it would be much appreciated by me. The computer calls it incorrect because I didn't know how to put it as a secondary answer. I played like I would have and mated with the pawn.  If I find out how I'll fix the puzzle.

Thanks.  On your puzzle to mate in five, couldn't   41.Qa3  be seen as an alternate correct move?  You called it incorrect.  Just curious. 

Thanks

gwow... nakamura is great...