Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. c3/3...d6

Ponziani Opening 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6 C44 Ponziani Opening 3...d6 3...d6!? is a passive reply. It reinforces Black's e pawn, but there was not much threat to it and it hems in Black's dark square bishop. Black essentially passes a turn and allows White 4. d4, more space and easy development. White can even choose to push d5, kicking away Black's knight, and c4. This is much more common at the amateur level than the master level11% of games vs. 4% of games respectively in the Lichess databases. where it is most often followed by 4. d4 exd4 5. cxd4 ±, Black giving up a central pawn for no compensation, after which Black may end up playing d5 anyway and wonder why they didn't play it on move three. Theory table 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6 4 5 6 7 8 d4Be7 d5Nb8 Bd3Nf6 Be3c6 c4  ⩲ References See also Ponziani Opening Play the Ponziani Taylor Dave Hayward Keith 2010 Everyman Chess London 1 8574 4620 8 External links C44 Ponziani Opening