Ponziani: Impractical in non-computer Correspondence Chess?

The Ponziani Power group recently won a game that I think improves on a suggestion from Play the Ponziani

A recent win using the Fraser.

This game I followed play and analysis of the team Bobby Fischer Group.  The team I was playing with actually lost this game, but the analysis of our opponents was available to us after the game.  My opponent was banned before the game concluded.

Kantifields you need to tell us if you were Black or White and who won the games?

Also, did you win because your opponent was banned?

 Also, I notice you are showing inferior moves for White in your games.

Please make your postings more clear?

I was black in both games.  I am not showing inferior moves, they are the moves that were played.  In the second game, my opponent was banned after my 34th move.  In that second game, I followed vote chess analysis through move 20.

The first game white simply did not know what to do.

The real problem with the Ponziani is simply that white has 3 other choices that all score better : 1 Ruy  2 Scotch  3 Italian .  

Not at my level.

And what level is that ? 

Kantifields, just because the moves were vote chess analysis or because your opponent did not know what to do does not mean the moves played by White were not inferior.

In fact, White played inferior moves in both games. 

It is interesting that elite players have been experimenting with Spanish lines that could transpose from a Ponziani. Many top GMs have taken to playing c3 and d3 systems in the Spanish, and a few have experimented with the Ponziani move order. 

Of course, Ponz has already weighed in saying such ideas are only equal. But the GMs who play it don't really care about computer evaluations. They're looking for positions that will test their opponents' strategic skills. 

The Ponziani is playable, but Black does get easy equality. The question really is whether such positions suit the players and whether White can play for a win, not how good it is objectively.

The Fraser Defense throws a monkey wrench into that thinking by forcing white to learn specific tactical lines in order to maintain equality. That's why the Fraser is so important!

Obviously white misplayed... black won.

@smyslov... I would add blacks play is much easier to play and much easier to understand the themes.

It is true that the Fraser Defense throws a monkey wrench into the Ponziani by forcing White to learn specific lines but this works both ways. If Black is going to play the Fraser he will also have to learn or know specific lines.

Very few players below, say, 2200, are going to spend hours learning the black side of the Fraser. 

It is doubtful that players rated above or below 2200 know how to respond if White knows the best lines.

This is kinda not relevant because few players with Black will try this very complicated line.  

Actually, it only took me a short time to learn the black side of the Fraser, not hours. I would need a refresher before I faced someone who specializes in it, but it's not that time consuming, at least from the Black side. 

But that's the point, isn't it: White plays the Ponziani in large measure to get away from Black's specialized preparation. The Fraser steps right into it.

curious. Where did you learn the black side of the Fraser from? Was the theory you learned current?

Regarding stats as to which are the best openings. The Ruy Lopez is one of the best openings scoring  40% wins  27% losses  33% draws

this is plus 13 wins over draws

there is a 3 way tie right below the Ruy Lopez

 Giucco Piano    4  Knights    Ponziani Opening

at plus `12

Ponziani   41% wins  29% losses  30% draws   [plus 12]

I feel like this is one of those threads I should go back and read from the beginning.

What database are you using ponzi ?  I have checked 2 and both give the RL , Scotch and Italian as all doing better than the Ponziani , you dont even mention the scotch . 

I typed in google  chess opening statistics

and got Chess Opening Statistics  cyyzewski org.

It gives about 70-80 different openings. Ruy Lopez and Ponziani in the top ten as far as results.

it gives Scotch as 40% wins  29% losses  31% draws [just behind the Ponziani and two others tied with the Ponziani.]

These are 500,000 games since 1991.

Oh, this is getting good.

Reb. what data did you use and what were percentage results?