Inner West Swiss - Round 6

This blog follows my quest for an official FIDE rating.

After the stock standard 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 my unrated opponent plays 3.c3?! and I find myself staring blankly at the Ponziani Opening. I'm vaguely aware that it's not supposed to promise much for white but I've never looked at this in my life. Another typically passive approach to the opening sees me in trouble with the black pieces once again. My pieces are in complete disarray on the back ranks and the pressure is building against my position with every move. How I got out of this one I'll never know!