Ponziani Opening

Kantifields did you see that move [Ng1] in a game or in a variation being examined?

a game

Here is another Ponziani Line which I think White keeps the iniative and better game.

Here is a Ponziani variation which seems to end in an equal endgame

Here is a variation in the Ponziani that is practically winning for White

Trying to play the Ponz here. . . Perhaps my 6th and 9th moves weren't the best?  

1.e4 e5

2.Nf3 Nc6

3.c3 d6

4.d4 exd4

5.cxd4g6

6.Bb5 Bd7

7.Qc2 Bg7

8.d5 Ne5

9.Bxd7+ Qxd7

10.Nxe5 Bxe5

11.Nc3 O-O-O 

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1128295   This is a game played by Spassky ( black ) in the ponziani counter gambit but his opponent played 4 d4  instead of  4 exf5 .  My database indicates that 4 d4 is best and scores much better than 4 exf5 . 

Reb, fortunately databases can't play chess and are very often wrong. Another classic example is in a main line of the Anti-Moscow gambit where the most common move for Black is h6- h5 which is practically losing, Nbd7 or Rg8 must be played according to CCGM Tansel Turgut

Reb, one thing I know for sure is that after 3. c3  f5  4. exf5 is the best move for White and is very strong.

Firebrand, thanks. Yes, those look like good developing moves.  Pulled my Q out too soon. Was wondering, should i not even have moved my light squared bishop to b5?  Course if he pulls his 2 pawns out to shoo it away, and my light sqr bishop ends up on b3, is that a bad thing?  

I like that game LastStraw...will have to learn it.  Black's devel. is nowhere no and will surely lose his N in the corner at some point.  

10.h4 g4 11.Ne5 if I'm not mistaken Firebrand. Turgut is the highest rated ICCF player in the US I believe, though he plays for Turkey

What does White play on 4...d5?

Yes, I've seen that game. 7.Ne5! looks like a dangerous improvement on that game, but Black seems to be ok after the Schliemann-esque 5...Qd6!?

Yes, my notes

say this line as mentioned by Bluebird is very good for White

We ran the variation with 3. c3  f5  4. exf5  d5 5. Bb5 in a chess engine vs chess engine tournament and White won all or most of the games. Here is one  Equinox  vs Viruivius

Firebrand. I will have to admit to not hardly considering 3. c3  f5

4. exf5  Qf6  and your equalizing lines are interesting.

I will suggest  5. Bb5 is at least worth a look.

Also, this line which is a continuation of your analysis [I do not know if it is reasonable or not as 1 hour not long to analyze]

ponz111, here is a question for you. If one were to become a ponziani player, the opening only works with 1...e5. Do you have a similar variation against the sicilian, or do you just play standard sicilian lines?

The Ponziani only works against 1. e4

Against the Sicilian I play  1. e4  c5  2. Nf3  d6  3. Bb5+

or 1. e4 c5  2. Nf3  Nc6  3. Bb5

or 1. e4  c5  2. Nf3  e6  3. d3

or 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3  d6  3. Bb5+  Nc6  4. Bxc6+

At least when I was playing 15 minute games...

The closest Sicilian line to the Ponziani would be

1. e4  c5  2. Nf3  Nc6  3. c3

That Qf6 move is not a novelty.  I have seen it in youtube videos for almost a year.  Even then it was not offered as original.