Is it unsportsmanlike to force a draw in the opening? (now that I think about it, I guess it takes two to tango...hmm) what does everyone think?

For example: (Qa4+, Nc6, Qb3, Na5, Qa4+, Nc6, Qb3, Na5...etc)

strange.  after 7. Qb5+ Nc6  8.  cxd5  Nxd5 Nxd5 wins the knight for a pawn, because of the pin.

No.  If Qb5 c6 where white loses the c pawn.

Black can do better with 6..dxc4 7 Qxc4 Be6 rather than chase the Q with the knight.

I wonder if I can take the time to play e4 instead of Qxc4 in MM78's line.

 white's queen is attacked by the pawn after dxc4 so I don't think you have the time for e4, no

Interesting Ploy

i used to play the Ponziani..too plodding...maybe i was playing it wrong!

That's not a true draw.