I've been playing the Ponziani for a while now as white, typically hoping for the situation in the game below. This is the first time I've ever had the chance to play it.
Ponziani Trap
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Cute threat!
playing for traps is a little ridiculous. Play it only if you really like the c3 for the d4 push. You can get that grab for the center much more solidly with ruy lopez and Bishop's openings though. I have to admit though, traps can be very satisfying. That certainly is a good one there.
depthshaman wrote:
playing for traps is a little ridiculous.
I actually play Ponziani because I enjoy the aggressive games it tends to produce (at least in my experience). The trap was just something I learned a while back but had never actually had an opponent take the right steps for it until now. Typically I don't end up getting to play Ponziani anyway as I often encounter people playing responses like d6 to defend the e5 pawn.
Nice trap. :)
6.b4 wouldnt have won the knight on a5?
Curious as to what you normally play if 3. ... d5.
