Ponziani opening traps
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another 15 minute per side game...
In my opinion the Ponziani has more traps [for players under master level] than any other opening.
There are many master level players who use the Ponziani as a 2nd opening. By this, I mean they will play it sometimes just for a change or just to surprise their opponent.
The Ponziani is "sound" in that there is no defense which gives Black an advantage. Some say 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 gives Black an advantage but I disagree. A player who knows the lines does not have a problem with that line and in fact, I have won from many masters who played that line in my 15 minute per side games. Also have won and have a good score against masters who have played this line in correspondence chess.
Of course, I am prejudiced towards this opening as I have studied it for 40 years and have written two books on this opening. The latest and best book is "Play the Ponziani" co authored by Keith Hawyard and myself. [available at Amazon and various chess sites]
My 15 minutes per games are played on another site. Here is one more:
another 15 minute per side game...
ponz 15 minute per side game
ponz111 15 minute game
another ponz 15 minute per side game...
I have found Ponziani to be an outrageously interesting and fun opening for white. I play it for surprise and quick tactics sake (since I am weak in long, dragging games). Started playing it after reading Ponz111's detailed opening lines posted here. There are infinite options for black to hurt himself and fall prey to surprise attacks. Here are some of my games (including some losses, which I lost because I think I made a positional blunder somewhere between move 5 and 12).
This is not strictly Ponziani, but the opening principle is the same (with a very innocent little trap).
This one is a messed up game. I won, but the victory didn't give me any joy, because it came due to a blunder by the opponent, and not any good game by me :(
I am not very fond of 3...d5 due to 4.Qa4 f6 5.d3, when it's a strange reversed Philidor with a misplaced queen on a4 (can be easily fixed) and a misplaced pawn at f6 (unfixable). I prefer 3...Nf6 4.d4 exd4! 5.e5 Nd5, which is also a complete answer to the Goering.
I do not claim the Ponziani is "better" than the Ruy Lopez. Actually, to me, the "best" three openings are 1. c4 1. Nf3 1. d4 d5 2. c4.
However for players under 2200 or 2300 the Ponziani is a very good opening. I have won from a ton of masters playing the Ponziani.
The Ponziani is a draw just like any other sound opening but in practical play, White has very good winning chances.
Fiveofswords wrote:
im sure the ponziani is fine. i may have been unfairly dismissive of it once. someone made be play a while ago in some sort of practice game and the only theory i really knew was 3...d5. im a petroff player so i really dont need to know anything about the ponziani. anyway they did 4 qa5 and i did 4...bd7. the rest of the opening was pretty smooth sailing. i dont know if they missed some tricky stuff or what but i felt pretty equal and there werent really any difficult tactics. anyway i wouldnt say black had an advantage either...if you like that sort of position as white then fine.
Yes, but did White play the correct Ponziani moves? In that variation White usually gets the advantage.
Maybe you were equal, who knows? But unless you give the moves it is only a feeling and you do not know if White was versed in Ponziani theory?
Fiveofswords wrote:
i dont know of course. im genuinely curious what difficult tactics might actually exist in this line...assuming 3...d5 4 qa4 bd7. whats a sharp move?
The line you give should go this way:
Jul 8, 2015
0
#35
pfren wrote:
I am not very fond of 3...d5 due to 4.Qa4 f6 5.d3, when it's a strange reversed Philidor with a misplaced queen on a4 (can be easily fixed) and a misplaced pawn at f6 (unfixable). I prefer 3...Nf6 4.d4 exd4! 5.e5 Nd5, which is also a complete answer to the Goering.
ponz, what do you think about this answer? I read that only 3..d5 is good.
TrumanB Many have said 3. ... d5 is good. I have won a ton of games vs masters after 3. ... d5
As for the other line, it is a line that can be tough for both sides depending on various factors. My personal experience is that I have a big plus score against that line. This does not mean pfren is wrong. In fact, with very best play by both sides the line may lead to a draw. phren likes the line for various reasons and for his play, he is correct.
Jul 8, 2015
0
#37
It's a bit surprising for me because according to your experience someone may conclude that Ponz is almost always giving advantage to white. That would make him one of the best openings. But on the other hand, GMs play it rarely.
By the way, I like Ponziani.
Jul 8, 2015
0
#38
I ran this d5 answer through engine and according to Stockfish black is equal.
TrumanB
In all sound openings Black is equal. This includes 1. c4 1. Nf3 Ponziani
Ruy Lopez Queens Gambit Two Knights Scotch Game etc etc etc.
Yep. The Ponz is something else for wins that seem to come out of nowhere when Black is unprepared.
Here's the Youtube which persuaded me to take the Ponz out for a spin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOZLHeKWhTQ
The Ponziani is the main aggressive/surprise opening I used as White when I climbed from 1600 USCF to eventually 2130 over about three years. My coach GM Alex Wojtkiewicz (R.I.P.) suggested it as an easy way to trip up class players who likely don't have time to study this somewhat obscure opening and figure they'll just play it over the board if they encounter it. Unfortunately for them, the "natural" moves are the wrong ones and they can easily fall into some traps. This opening is also good for online blitz and bullet games for the same reason.
He had me at "Wojo."