just watch out for the Ng4 move for black, it's the initiative for a checkmate if you kill it with the H pawn, this might happen: Nf6-g4, h2-h3,h7-h5 h3xg4, h5xg4, and maybe Qb4+ to stall, then for black, Qe7-h4, depending on moves. it all depends on if the queen still has that diagonal to move to the spot, or is not.... indisposed where she's at....
just watch out for the Ng4 move for black, it's the initiative for a checkmate if you kill it with the H pawn, this might happen: Nf6-g4, h2-h3,h7-h5 h3xg4, h5xg4, and maybe Qb4+ to stall, then for black, Qe7-h4, depending on moves. it all depends on if the queen still has that diagonal to move to the spot, or is not.... indisposed where she's at....
Wow... I never knew the thing I had been playing actually had a name. Well... I play it very badly, but it is justified considering i rarely ever play chess, and only play against people like me.
Very nice practical advice. Sure you could learn reams of theory, or you could use openings that are difficult for black to meet with natural play. Ponziani seems to meet that criteria. Thanks!
I liked but ti think that the black also have some tricks and traps in the middle of the game.I realy tried my hard against the computer nut he is too smart!xD
@baeronautics yea, against computers or Grandmasters you're better keeping it closed, to limit the tactical complications which you'll probably lose. There you can do d3 instead of d4, followed by Be2, O-O, Nd2, Nf1, Ng3.
This video is VERY insightful and down to earth. You clearly provide an insight into the tournament culture, not just the opening itself. Thanks so much.
@Thermikus So 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 f6 5.Bb5 Nge7 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.O-O e4 and now 8.Nd4 instead of 8.Ne1. Well that's okay and it's just style I guess. The idea with Ne1 is you have to move the d pawn to free your other pieces anyway, and Nd4 limits you to just a later d3 and the possibility of a hanging bishop after exd3 Bxd3 then Nf5. Tactically 8. Nd4 is okay but just not my own style.
@Darkblaze10k its just going to be even, and black is also going to lose a queen if he plays wrogly bcs of the Queen - King pin with Re1...its not a "bad" move...it just isint very conventional....
What if it proceeds: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 Nd5 6.cxd4 - Then black can move Bb4+ which is a pain..... I get lost from here as to how to be offensive. Help?
Thanks for the vid - it's really helpful for me actually.
I do have one question - on move 3, why can't Black play Nge7? After the inevitable 4. d4, Black can equalize with ...exd4 5.Bc4 d5 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.0-0 Be7 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.cxd4 Be6 - that happened to me the other day. Is there a good way around that?
at 4:57, would Qe2 be a good move for white? his only options are to block with bishop, queen, or knight, and in either case, you can go Bf6, and black is in huge trouble, right?
@baseballmike44 Maybe the computer says it's winning, but after ..Qe7 and the queen exchange it goes to the endgame with a 4-on-1 pawn structure for black, and that seemed scary when I played it so that's why I did Be2.
Black has tactical opportunities not covered viz. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Qd6! 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. e x d5 Q x d5 7. 0-0 Be7! This nice move covers g5 against a Ng5 invasion, black has a better position. Or: 6. d4!? Nf6 7. e x d5 Q x d5 8. 0-0 e4! 9. c4 Qh5 10. Re1 Be7 11. Ne5 white's down 1 pawn. Or 4. Bb5 instead of 4. Qa4 Then 4. ....d x e4 5. N x e5 Qg5!! 6. Qa4 Qg2! 7. B x c6+ b x c6 8. Q x c6+ Kd8 9. Rf1 Bh3! 10. Q x a8+ Ke7 11. Kc2 Q x f1 approx equal - both kings can escape.
That 4. Bb5 line I think is better, but with 5..Qd5 6. Qa4 and the tempting ..Qxe5?! Then 7. Bxc6 with advantage to white. But your line with 5..Qg5 is interesting. I'd think after 6. Qa4 Qxg2 probably 7. Rf1 is more human-like and less scary for white, but it's already a pretty messed up opening by then.
I think after 7. Rf1 ...Bh3 all the same. I agree with you that the 4. Bb5 line is better, since 4. Qa4 Qd6 definitely seems to give some advantage to black - also a better practical choice since finding the refutation over the board is going to be pretty darn difficult, without prior knowledge... black has to have a lot of confidence to play Qg5...in some lines the black king is required to walk a precise route from d8 to h5 for advantage / equality, via g6 and not g5 if i recall correctly.
You know how young children often talk to themselves when other people are around? They actually think they're communicating with you, but they have no idea they're actually unintelligible because they don't understand yet the concept of other people not being inside their heads. It's called egocentric speech (Lev Vygotsky) and later it turns into inner speech, which we all have, when they learn people don't get their abbreviated thoughts. This video is just like hearing that kid.
Whenever either colour blocks in their knight by either c3 or c6 in the opening its a good plan to attack the center with either d4 or d5 because the knight cant come out to attack the queen when the player recaptures the pawn in the center.
I remember that, but after ..Qe7 and queens exchange, it looked pretty scary with those 4 black pawns against the sole a2 pawn in the endgame. I'm not so sure white is better there.
i have been stuck at 1600 for like a year now i think this might push me up. The bad thing however is that when i play e4 most of my opponents play the sicillian so i cant play the ponziani. Thanks anyways
Maybe look into the Sicilian Alapin variation with 2. c3 or 3. c3. It can transpose them into the French which they might not be interested in, and has some traps too (e.g. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c3 d5 4. e5 Bg4 5. Bb5 e6? 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Qh4 which I've had some strong players fall for, maybe because it's so early in the opening and those kinds of moves and pawn structure just look safe (?))
Also, for the main line; what is the response to 4 Qa4, Bd7! capturing d5 looks a little too risky. But no matter what it looks like the queen can be forced off which will kill white's tempo/lead in position.
No, anybody probably 1800-2000 and up has studied this and equalizes it with 3..d5 or 3..f5. This is a surprise opening you can use below that to get up to that level, then switch to Ruy Lopez or the Italian opening which are more solid but have the same patterns.
1:44 now, here if they castle...that would be a mistake i think.... because now...well, cuz you get there knight. Well no wonder its a mistake. haha, good video though
So being new to chess makes me an idiot? Should I automatically just know everything about a game I am inexperienced with? If that was so, what would be the need for videos like these?
I don't get into that as black, I do 1..c6 against almost everything. But if you want to play along with the Ponziani try 3..d5, or better maybe 3..f5.
amazing video i will play it in some of my under 12 matches. p.s i played it on my teacher, RObert Baker and IM and i was winning the opening and screwed up in the mid
Or any other line in which the black king is castled queen side and a6 is played. It cannot be played immediately, but after directing more force toward the queen side it becomes a potential hazard. It is most likely unsound, but is interesting nonetheless.
Good line, I never looked at that. It could work maybe if black delayed a6 a few more moves and you could catch up in development. Otherwise 12. Bxa6 bxa6 13.Qxa6+ and black is safe because you need more than just a queen to mate, and you have nothing to support it. Meanwhile black's got 3 pieces out and a centralized queen compared to your 1 piece. If 13..Kb8 and 14.Na3 trying to get another piece out quickly, 14..Bc8 then ..Bb7 & black is safe, plus ahead in material and development.
You mean 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 dxc3 6.exf6 cxb2 7.Bxb2 gxf6... and your suggestion 8.Qe2+ Be7 9.Bxf6 they are forced to go 9..O-O and now your bishop is hanging -- you have to either trade and lose your bishop pair when you're ahead, or retreat it and lose a tempo... meanwhile you're still two moves away from castling, while he's threatening Re8 with the pin on your queen and king. That just looks scary to me, although the computer says it can be okay, if you're a computer.
what is when you defend your knight at 6.40 with the bishop on d7 ? following a6?
I'am playing also Ponziani and after the suggested moves i always get problems... ok still i am not a master with 1500 but i like that rare oppening ^^
Black loses a pawn either way. If you mean 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4. Qa5 f6 5.Bb5... if black moves 5..a6 then 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Qxc6 Bd7 8.Qxd5 a pawn up.
Your vidios are appreciated by me and I'm sure by other players at my humble level. Thank you for them and for ignoring the egomaniacs that think they are the center of the universe.
The reason this "ponziani" is rare, is because is not good enough and that is true for every rare opening. Refutation is often easy even if not memorized, as this guy is doing. Just use your chess intuition. Stop making all the wrong moves for Black for pete's sake.
It really is. My greatest lesson and greatest advances came from the idea of focusing most your studying on what to do when they DON'T play the best move, because they won't at some point.
Rick, these videos are even more excellent that I originally realized. I've not met a single person below a 1900 rating that knows the proper response to this opening.
That's what I found too and played it heavily against younger players especially, until I was around 2000. And even at 1700-1900 when they'd find the right moves on their own, they'd eat up their clock solving it over the board.
what if instead of playing the NF6 black plays, BC5? and when we pushed our d pawns to d4..after cancellation of the pawns black gives check from the black bishop? I kinda had this situation and not sure how to handle...however white ended up having center pawns..but still its kinda weird conditions..help me out! thanks!
Thanks Rickdd2, I like this opening very much, it leads to interesting play... and I found that even those that know the main line can get in trouble if they haven't reviewed it recently. Good video and very well explained. Keep them coming!
i played this in my cpu and it doesn't like black playing d5 it actually prefers knight f6 because after queen a4 it recommends black sac the d pawn by playing bishop d7 threatening knight to d4
What about e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 c3 a6 d4 d5 ? Now, although Black lost a tempo in the main line, you cannot pin the knight with the bishop, and if you do it with the queen, Black can take the e pawn. What is White's best continuation?
In the final position, Black actually looks not just a little better, but quite substantially so. But Black does, as you say, have to know it. The best Black moves do go against instinct.
Right, and that's the whole gamble you take. I still play it against kids who probably haven't studied it, or when I'm doing bad in a tournament and have nothing to lose.
Then 5.Bd3 and black can do 5..g6 6.O-O Bg7, or 5..Bg4 6.d5 Ne7 7.h3 Bd7 8.c4 and white has sort of neutralized black's white bishop for a maybe very slight advantage.
Well my question is what's the best responds if black goes 5. e5 Ng4? it happened with me some times. You don't even consider it as an option, so it should be bad, but I don't see why yet.
After 6.cxd4 you can follow with h3, forcing his knight to h6 and out of the action. You can either exchange Bxh6 to break open his kingside and force him to spend more moves to castle queenside, or you can do Bd3 to make his knight useless for at least the few moves until he can reposition it.
good videos rick, imo, and very interesting watching. have watched a cpl of your vids now. think you would benefit greatly - ie. your vids would - from taking three mins of preparation before recording, so that the flow is better and easier to follow. but perhaps many like it like this, incl. you, so obviously, just mho.
im not sure about yr main line there, i think it may be better to play Bb5 instead of Qa4, i think that commits the queen a little too early and it would probably wind up being better on b3 eventually anyway
Bb5 is very playable although you have more non-intuitive moves to remember with that line and better chances to get in trouble yourself I think: 4..dxe4 5.Nxe5 Qd5 6.Bxc6 bxc5 7.d4 exd3 8.O-O Be7 now you'll do Re1, c4 and Qf3 to get one or both pawns back; or 5..Qg5 gets a little crazy with the most common 6.Qa4 (..Qxg2 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.Qxc6 Kd8 9.Rf1 Bh3 10.Qxa8 Ke7 11.Kd1 is strange). Maybe better after 5..Qg5 is 6.d4 Qxg2 7.Rf1 threatening 8.Qa4 next if he tries to grab the h pawn.
I definately agree, although whites positions are still playable. The Ponziani seems very intriguing to use against inferior competition, as you might be able to achieve a good position against them. Although the Spanish game tends to always get the weak black player into trouble anyways, even if they've memorized some theory...
Thanks for these videos this is a great opening. I once won an online game in 9 moves with it. Also I got a huge advantage in a game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 dxc3 6. Nc3 I chose this because if I would've sacked the f knight he would've protected the pawn with Qxf6.
I greatly appreciate what you have done to open my eyes to the ponziani.
this is a great opening, it deserves to be played more, but what if instead of Nf6 or d5, what if f5? its been played against me and im not to sure what to play against it? can u make a vid with that in it? thanks rick
After 3..f5 then 4.d4 fxe5 5.Nxe5 and 5..Nf6 is the mainline (such as it is). 6.Bg5 is the most common response in the databases among masters who played this the past several years, but I like 6.Bb5 (second most popular continuation) because it stops black's d-pawn push at least temporarily. It's also the line GM Nakamura played against Julio Becerra last year (although Nakamura went on to lose due to a later blunder).
The dxc3 move leaves you similarly to the danish gambit, but without the possibility of the trap for black because of a busted kingside it leaves black even worse
Instead of moving pawn to d6 at 1:00 he can go to d5 you cant en passant because pawn is pinned and queen can go to b4 and win the pawn back how would you counter that, would you move a3?
No, Nc3 attacking d5 and he can't really defend it because you're threatening Be2 to break the pin and take the f6 knight: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 Qe7 6.cxd4 d5 7.Nc3 ... if 7. ..Qe6 8. Ng5 and if (say) 7. ..Bf5 8.Bc2 Ne4 9. Nxd5.
Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to play this line. Though I was having a game for fun with a guy i know who is rated around 2150-2200. The game went e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 c3 Nf6. At this stage, I thought I had him. However I moved d4 then he moved d5. What would you recommend in this scenario? Imanaged to keep the centre and material even until the middle game which I was quite impressed with.
Whether black moves to d5 or d6 the most common reply is Bb5 for white and you get a Ruy Lopez kind of structure. If black takes on e4 you take on e5 with the knight then you have pressure on the c6 knight. If black takes on d4 you push to e5 then take back on d4 with your knight, again pressuring c6. Equal chances but at least you are hopefully more familiar with the setup than your opponent.
Thank you for both of your videos Rick. I have been using the Ponziani for the past few weeks online and have a 1 day competition tomorrow. I'll try to play the ponziani and if i get the chance to play e4, e5, Nf3, Nc6, c3 I will make a video and reply to this one. I find online d6 is a common reply and even after doing a Ruy Lopez they still come out quite even. One guy played f5 which was also good. But hopefully I will get the opportunity to use this tomorrow.
Bb5 and transform it into a closed Ruy Lopez! That's actually a common reply I've found looking back on my games and I am probably going to make a new video about d6. You're threatening d5, so his best reply is ..a6 then Ba4 b5; Bb3 (or Bc2) and you have a closed Ruy Lopez. If he does Bd7 he's being passive and you'll want to exchange to open the center, castle and do Re1 to annoy his pieces on the 7th rank. Lots of good tactical possibilities for you.
When, after 3. c3? That would be dumb for him because he's blocking his d-pawn. You could do 4. d4, then after say ..Nf6, 5. dxe5 and if he takes with his knight you win material (6. Nxe5 Bxe5 7. f4 Bd6 8. e5), or if he takes with his bishop you take that with your knight and you now have your bishop pair while he doesn't (which usually means more tactical possibilities for you since you can control more space).
The most interesting I think is ..f5 after white plays c3. GM Becerra played this against GM Nakamura earlier this year (google "becerra nakamura ponziani"). Opening up the f file that early I think is scary for most and I'd certainly play ..d5 instead (the "mainline"), but GM's I'd think would find ..f5 better because it lets you keep your center d pawn.
Those are just sort of analysis moves. I've played the Ponziani in both online blitz and long tournaments though. Tournament times vary, usually the 5-day big national Opens are 40 moves in 90 minutes then remainder in 60 minutes, while local weekend 1- or 2-day tourneys which I've mostly played in may only be full game in 45 or 60 minutes.
Maybe a stupid a question... but at 2:03, what happens if 9... Nxe5?
patrckhh20 1 month ago in playlist More videos from Rickdd2
@patrckhh20
@RapidGeneralX
Any number of lines...
Perhaps 10. Bxd7 Nxd7 11. Re1 Ne4 [To save the pinned queen]
After the recapture in that line, material is even but white has a pawn on both e4 and d4 and neither is developed much.
The thing that makes trading so dangerous is the potential queen pin.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a better line that wins the queen that I haven't found.
FromMuToYou 1 month ago
7:30... No trading, just trusting forward. That way, it's a sort of pawn sacrifice for worse structure. It's not perfect though.
esfspf 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
just watch out for the Ng4 move for black, it's the initiative for a checkmate if you kill it with the H pawn, this might happen: Nf6-g4, h2-h3,h7-h5 h3xg4, h5xg4, and maybe Qb4+ to stall, then for black, Qe7-h4, depending on moves. it all depends on if the queen still has that diagonal to move to the spot, or is not.... indisposed where she's at....
start at 2:21
zatnicatienth 4 months ago
just watch out for the Ng4 move for black, it's the initiative for a checkmate if you kill it with the H pawn, this might happen: Nf6-g4, h2-h3,h7-h5 h3xg4, h5xg4, and maybe Qb4+ to stall, then for black, Qe7-h4, depending on moves. it all depends on if the queen still has that diagonal to move to the spot, or is not.... indisposed where she's at....
zatnicatienth 4 months ago
at 2:10 why not Nxe5 for black?
RapidGeneralX 6 months ago
HI AND WHATS YOUR FAVORITE OPENING OR DEFENSE WITH THE BLACK FOR BEAT SUB-2000 PLAYERS???? ANSWER PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
quienjodeaquien 6 months ago
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5 then 6. dxc6 Bxf2+
[6. ...Nxf2 loses to 7. Qd5] 7. Ke2 bxc6 8.Qa4 and if White plays correctly from
here then White will win.
chess1941 7 months ago
I'd love to see some more of your opening videos. I could use some more stuff like this for class level play.
ChessMachinations 8 months ago
What is your Fide rating?
belzeubub 9 months ago
@belzeubub I'm currently 2024 USCF (I don't have FIDE)
Rickdd2 9 months ago 2
Wow... I never knew the thing I had been playing actually had a name. Well... I play it very badly, but it is justified considering i rarely ever play chess, and only play against people like me.
SpinningDoors 9 months ago
Against the Ponziani, I simply remember two moves: 3... d5 and 4... Bd7. I go a pawn down, but I always have a good game as Black.
xactxx 9 months ago
Im stuck with the scotch gambit now. I will try this one to test my luck.
Alientcp 10 months ago
What's the response here? 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 Nxe4 5.d5 Bc5
??
chess.com/explorer/index.html?id=134783&ply=10&black=0
secretbonus 10 months ago
2:05 Nxe5 +-
eckenjunge 1 year ago
I like how you speak human like a regular dude. The insight is pretty neat.
thenorm05 1 year ago
Very nice practical advice. Sure you could learn reams of theory, or you could use openings that are difficult for black to meet with natural play. Ponziani seems to meet that criteria. Thanks!
billystratford 1 year ago
What if black moves c6 instead of e6 ?
AmazingAsian8 1 year ago
Does this opening work against the computer?
regingwapo 1 year ago
you know this opening very well.
hallotata 1 year ago
I liked but ti think that the black also have some tricks and traps in the middle of the game.I realy tried my hard against the computer nut he is too smart!xD
Hope that my oponents arent like my computer!
chessterminator07 1 year ago
@chessterminator07
what level is your computer at?
Darkblaze10k 1 year ago
i don't think u showed the outcome if black NxNe5...
upNyaBizznizz 1 year ago
@upNyaBizznizz watch his pervious vids
enochdm 1 year ago
i don't know
marstuber96 1 year ago
i dont know
marstuber96 1 year ago
it's like a semi-Danish gambit
sksmith1247 1 year ago
very cool
rctpfm 1 year ago
your cool man , thx for your little reply , i actually like ya vids hahahaha , all the best mate
buzzbox2nd 1 year ago
Rick is the Columbo of chess videos :)
thespacialone 1 year ago
these are sorta clumsy vids , yet there kinda good lol
buzzbox2nd 1 year ago
i tried this opening with the computer but the computer instead of nf6 it moved d5 blocking our d4...(tooo smart with the trap):(
baeronautics 1 year ago
@baeronautics yea, against computers or Grandmasters you're better keeping it closed, to limit the tactical complications which you'll probably lose. There you can do d3 instead of d4, followed by Be2, O-O, Nd2, Nf1, Ng3.
Rickdd2 1 year ago
This video is VERY insightful and down to earth. You clearly provide an insight into the tournament culture, not just the opening itself. Thanks so much.
rmb04008 1 year ago
7:08 Why not Knight d4 ?
Thermikus 1 year ago
@Thermikus So 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 f6 5.Bb5 Nge7 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.O-O e4 and now 8.Nd4 instead of 8.Ne1. Well that's okay and it's just style I guess. The idea with Ne1 is you have to move the d pawn to free your other pieces anyway, and Nd4 limits you to just a later d3 and the possibility of a hanging bishop after exd3 Bxd3 then Nf5. Tactically 8. Nd4 is okay but just not my own style.
Rickdd2 1 year ago
@Rickdd2
At 2:10, why not Nc3xNe5
Darkblaze10k 1 year ago
@Darkblaze10k its just going to be even, and black is also going to lose a queen if he plays wrogly bcs of the Queen - King pin with Re1...its not a "bad" move...it just isint very conventional....
acelect 1 year ago
What if it proceeds: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 Nd5 6.cxd4 - Then black can move Bb4+ which is a pain..... I get lost from here as to how to be offensive. Help?
centromatic89 1 year ago
Thanks for the vid - it's really helpful for me actually.
I do have one question - on move 3, why can't Black play Nge7? After the inevitable 4. d4, Black can equalize with ...exd4 5.Bc4 d5 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.0-0 Be7 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.cxd4 Be6 - that happened to me the other day. Is there a good way around that?
theeviltwaz 1 year ago
at 4:57, would Qe2 be a good move for white? his only options are to block with bishop, queen, or knight, and in either case, you can go Bf6, and black is in huge trouble, right?
baseballmike44 1 year ago
@baseballmike44 Maybe the computer says it's winning, but after ..Qe7 and the queen exchange it goes to the endgame with a 4-on-1 pawn structure for black, and that seemed scary when I played it so that's why I did Be2.
Rickdd2 1 year ago
Possible mating chances? I didn't think chess could do that for you :P
moxieownage 1 year ago 3
you should definitely do more 'opening' videos.
theDers12 1 year ago
Black has tactical opportunities not covered viz. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Qd6! 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. e x d5 Q x d5 7. 0-0 Be7! This nice move covers g5 against a Ng5 invasion, black has a better position. Or: 6. d4!? Nf6 7. e x d5 Q x d5 8. 0-0 e4! 9. c4 Qh5 10. Re1 Be7 11. Ne5 white's down 1 pawn. Or 4. Bb5 instead of 4. Qa4 Then 4. ....d x e4 5. N x e5 Qg5!! 6. Qa4 Qg2! 7. B x c6+ b x c6 8. Q x c6+ Kd8 9. Rf1 Bh3! 10. Q x a8+ Ke7 11. Kc2 Q x f1 approx equal - both kings can escape.
thisismymoniker 2 years ago
That 4. Bb5 line I think is better, but with 5..Qd5 6. Qa4 and the tempting ..Qxe5?! Then 7. Bxc6 with advantage to white. But your line with 5..Qg5 is interesting. I'd think after 6. Qa4 Qxg2 probably 7. Rf1 is more human-like and less scary for white, but it's already a pretty messed up opening by then.
Rickdd2 1 year ago
I think after 7. Rf1 ...Bh3 all the same. I agree with you that the 4. Bb5 line is better, since 4. Qa4 Qd6 definitely seems to give some advantage to black - also a better practical choice since finding the refutation over the board is going to be pretty darn difficult, without prior knowledge... black has to have a lot of confidence to play Qg5...in some lines the black king is required to walk a precise route from d8 to h5 for advantage / equality, via g6 and not g5 if i recall correctly.
thisismymoniker 1 year ago
You know how young children often talk to themselves when other people are around? They actually think they're communicating with you, but they have no idea they're actually unintelligible because they don't understand yet the concept of other people not being inside their heads. It's called egocentric speech (Lev Vygotsky) and later it turns into inner speech, which we all have, when they learn people don't get their abbreviated thoughts. This video is just like hearing that kid.
gypsyshoes 2 years ago
Bit OTT! He's only showing a few chess lines, much like any other chess video by a non-pro.
thisismymoniker 2 years ago
@thisismymoniker Youtube limits videos to 10 minutes, so it's hard to cover everything. Most opening DVD's go on for 4 hours!
Rickdd2 1 year ago
That's funny -- it was probably because I was recording into the microphone with just myself in the room.
Rickdd2 1 year ago
Whenever either colour blocks in their knight by either c3 or c6 in the opening its a good plan to attack the center with either d4 or d5 because the knight cant come out to attack the queen when the player recaptures the pawn in the center.
draigan 2 years ago
At 4:29, white is winning because of Qe2+ followed by Bxf6.
MrFedel 2 years ago
I remember that, but after ..Qe7 and queens exchange, it looked pretty scary with those 4 black pawns against the sole a2 pawn in the endgame. I'm not so sure white is better there.
Rickdd2 2 years ago
i have been stuck at 1600 for like a year now i think this might push me up. The bad thing however is that when i play e4 most of my opponents play the sicillian so i cant play the ponziani. Thanks anyways
=)
FudgeCicleys 2 years ago 4
if they play Sicilian why not play the Grand prix attack it plays well against the Sicilian and has a great record against it
Quentin0000000000 2 years ago
Maybe look into the Sicilian Alapin variation with 2. c3 or 3. c3. It can transpose them into the French which they might not be interested in, and has some traps too (e.g. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c3 d5 4. e5 Bg4 5. Bb5 e6? 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Qh4 which I've had some strong players fall for, maybe because it's so early in the opening and those kinds of moves and pawn structure just look safe (?))
Rickdd2 2 years ago
you would be shocked to see how many 2000+ players play this opening poorly as black one of my favorites if black will let me set it up
johnmrrs 2 years ago 8
What program do you use?
Also, for the main line; what is the response to 4 Qa4, Bd7! capturing d5 looks a little too risky. But no matter what it looks like the queen can be forced off which will kill white's tempo/lead in position.
JeeniousChess 2 years ago
is the ponziani popular amungst grandmasters??
this is a good vid btw :D
kippyedwards 2 years ago
No, anybody probably 1800-2000 and up has studied this and equalizes it with 3..d5 or 3..f5. This is a surprise opening you can use below that to get up to that level, then switch to Ruy Lopez or the Italian opening which are more solid but have the same patterns.
Rickdd2 2 years ago
When black plays the QE7 line and after a few moves he can take whites e5 pawn
FudgeCicleys 2 years ago
I love your videos!
Make more of them.
They are very instructive and helpful
You explain everything at a pace that
beginners can follow.
Thanks for putting up the videos!
yangyang414414 2 years ago
1:44 now, here if they castle...that would be a mistake i think.... because now...well, cuz you get there knight. Well no wonder its a mistake. haha, good video though
slapshotz101 2 years ago
I would love to see more videos from you.
shivitar 2 years ago 20
Hey, all these videos about the ponziani are done from White's perspective. Can you still do the ponziani when you are playing as Black?
Thanks, your videos have been really helpful Rick.
thebonedance 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ure an idiot...
philster00700 2 years ago
So being new to chess makes me an idiot? Should I automatically just know everything about a game I am inexperienced with? If that was so, what would be the need for videos like these?
Think before you speak.
thebonedance 2 years ago
I don't get into that as black, I do 1..c6 against almost everything. But if you want to play along with the Ponziani try 3..d5, or better maybe 3..f5.
Rickdd2 2 years ago
I used this opening in 5 games a short time ago won 4,5 against a rating average of 1750 ( max 1871 (won) and min 1682 ( draw))
Rogvikh 2 years ago
How long did it take you to memorize all of this? This is insane.
DragonHill87 2 years ago
A couple hours maybe?
Rickdd2 2 years ago
This video is very impressive!
pinkyfrogs23 2 years ago
ive got a blitz tonrament at 7 should i play this in it do you reckon?
McSplashy 3 years ago
amazing video i will play it in some of my under 12 matches. p.s i played it on my teacher, RObert Baker and IM and i was winning the opening and screwed up in the mid
McSplashy 3 years ago
at 2:18 why does black take with his bishop instead of his pawn
mainkx 3 years ago
because black controls more space that way, with the bishop aiming at g2 and rook and queen aiming at the center.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
At 2:10 what if the black knight take your white knight. what would be possible move for white.
THE338XE92 3 years ago
A bishop sac on a6 could be an interesting at some point in the game.
F2L4Life 3 years ago
Which line?
Rickdd2 3 years ago
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4
f6 5. Bb5 Nge7 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. O-O e4 8. Ne1
Bd7 9. f3 exf3 10. Nxf3 O-O-O 11. d4 a6
Or any other line in which the black king is castled queen side and a6 is played. It cannot be played immediately, but after directing more force toward the queen side it becomes a potential hazard. It is most likely unsound, but is interesting nonetheless.
F2L4Life 3 years ago
Good line, I never looked at that. It could work maybe if black delayed a6 a few more moves and you could catch up in development. Otherwise 12. Bxa6 bxa6 13.Qxa6+ and black is safe because you need more than just a queen to mate, and you have nothing to support it. Meanwhile black's got 3 pieces out and a centralized queen compared to your 1 piece. If 13..Kb8 and 14.Na3 trying to get another piece out quickly, 14..Bc8 then ..Bb7 & black is safe, plus ahead in material and development.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
at 5:02 why couldn't you go Queen e2+ then after they move go Bxf6?
It looks really good.
roostah7 3 years ago
You mean 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 dxc3 6.exf6 cxb2 7.Bxb2 gxf6... and your suggestion 8.Qe2+ Be7 9.Bxf6 they are forced to go 9..O-O and now your bishop is hanging -- you have to either trade and lose your bishop pair when you're ahead, or retreat it and lose a tempo... meanwhile you're still two moves away from castling, while he's threatening Re8 with the pin on your queen and king. That just looks scary to me, although the computer says it can be okay, if you're a computer.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
true. You're right, good call.
roostah7 3 years ago
Going to try this. It looks vewy good.
DarkMorphon 3 years ago
i love to get my bishop out and cover the board with my white material!
joelymcpoely 3 years ago
what is when you defend your knight at 6.40 with the bishop on d7 ? following a6?
I'am playing also Ponziani and after the suggested moves i always get problems... ok still i am not a master with 1500 but i like that rare oppening ^^
rise99 3 years ago
Black loses a pawn either way. If you mean 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4. Qa5 f6 5.Bb5... if black moves 5..a6 then 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Qxc6 Bd7 8.Qxd5 a pawn up.
Or if you mean 5..Bd7 then just 6.exd5 a pawn up.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
Your vidios are appreciated by me and I'm sure by other players at my humble level. Thank you for them and for ignoring the egomaniacs that think they are the center of the universe.
HomoKeely 3 years ago
The reason this "ponziani" is rare, is because is not good enough and that is true for every rare opening. Refutation is often easy even if not memorized, as this guy is doing. Just use your chess intuition. Stop making all the wrong moves for Black for pete's sake.
mareleblond98 3 years ago
what if they play night g4 when its attaked
kirtan55 3 years ago
cxd4 followed h3
Tobberk 3 years ago
are you really a 2150? lol
chucknorris2O1O 3 years ago
At my peak... 2024 currently.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
i've downloaded the software. How do i use the programme to see who has the advantage? thanks
timbo4bimbo 3 years ago
whats the name of the program you used?
intindse 3 years ago
It's Fritz (chessbase . com), video captured with camstudio . org, and resized square with Total Video Converter.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
i'm beating people left and right with the ponziani. it just goes to show that chess is a studying man's game.
mattfca 3 years ago
It really is. My greatest lesson and greatest advances came from the idea of focusing most your studying on what to do when they DON'T play the best move, because they won't at some point.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
Rick, these videos are even more excellent that I originally realized. I've not met a single person below a 1900 rating that knows the proper response to this opening.
ishcairn 3 years ago
That's what I found too and played it heavily against younger players especially, until I was around 2000. And even at 1700-1900 when they'd find the right moves on their own, they'd eat up their clock solving it over the board.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
this opening is brilliant. i beat the best player in my club with this
ad2894 3 years ago
thanks!
guitarcameron 3 years ago
How can I get the lesson In text format to print off?
Anglo1940 3 years ago
Type really fast as you listen to it?
Rickdd2 3 years ago
lol
yugiohslave411 3 years ago
good one
gloomunster 3 years ago
wow!!
in next life I'll take advantage of this stuff!
FiatObscuritas 3 years ago
wow,.. how good are yOU?
anyway i love your chess vids actually your openings, they're great
enegtoeneg 3 years ago
i have been losing at chess all the time and now thanks to this video i probably have a chance at winning more games
THANKS 4 THIS VID
ick709 3 years ago 5
what if instead of playing the NF6 black plays, BC5? and when we pushed our d pawns to d4..after cancellation of the pawns black gives check from the black bishop? I kinda had this situation and not sure how to handle...however white ended up having center pawns..but still its kinda weird conditions..help me out! thanks!
tiwarivikram 3 years ago
well thank you for the video. I have never opened using, But now I must !! Bravo !!
Anaconda64sq 3 years ago 2
What should I do when someone plays
4.d4 d6?
Zantaer 3 years ago 3
Thanks Rickdd2 !!!!!
gurimadh 3 years ago
Thanks Rickdd2, I like this opening very much, it leads to interesting play... and I found that even those that know the main line can get in trouble if they haven't reviewed it recently. Good video and very well explained. Keep them coming!
CDNchicken 3 years ago
I keep running into 3. ... Nf4 4. d5 Bd6?
What is the best response here? I have been playing 5. d6 with mixed results.
CroDiggly 3 years ago
I think you mean 3 ..Nf6 4.d4 Bd6?
Then 5.d5 Ne7 6.Nd2 leaving him pretty cramped, maybe 6..O-O and 7.Bd3 and later Nc4 threatening his bishop pair.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
i played this in my cpu and it doesn't like black playing d5 it actually prefers knight f6 because after queen a4 it recommends black sac the d pawn by playing bishop d7 threatening knight to d4
k17dudeP 3 years ago
What about e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 c3 a6 d4 d5 ? Now, although Black lost a tempo in the main line, you cannot pin the knight with the bishop, and if you do it with the queen, Black can take the e pawn. What is White's best continuation?
Feldmm1 3 years ago
In the final position, Black actually looks not just a little better, but quite substantially so. But Black does, as you say, have to know it. The best Black moves do go against instinct.
centercounter 3 years ago
Right, and that's the whole gamble you take. I still play it against kids who probably haven't studied it, or when I'm doing bad in a tournament and have nothing to lose.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
what if...
e4 e4
Nf3 Nc6
c3 Nf6
d4 d6!
allomyself 3 years ago
Then 5.Bd3 and black can do 5..g6 6.O-O Bg7, or 5..Bg4 6.d5 Ne7 7.h3 Bd7 8.c4 and white has sort of neutralized black's white bishop for a maybe very slight advantage.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
thx! do u reconmend this as a suprise weapon in tournaments?
because i am playing in the UK juniour chess chanllege.
its a nice video thank you very much =)
allomyself 3 years ago
e4-e5,
Nf3-Nc6,
c3-Nf6,
d4-Nxe,
d5-Bc5..
Isn't this move threatening for white?
It pressure against material..
If white doesn't play carefully, white could lose..
AliceoftheSwan 3 years ago
Black just loses material... 6. dxc6 wins a knight, then 6..Nxf2 7.Qd5 and now what, 7..Nxh1 8.Qxc5 with the black knight trapped.
Or 6..Bxf2 6.Ke2 and now what for black? White has Nd2 and can trade the knights with the bishop hanging.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
y doesnt black play 9.Nxe5
FudgeCicleys 3 years ago
Well my question is what's the best responds if black goes 5. e5 Ng4? it happened with me some times. You don't even consider it as an option, so it should be bad, but I don't see why yet.
Xyrqun 3 years ago
After 6.cxd4 you can follow with h3, forcing his knight to h6 and out of the action. You can either exchange Bxh6 to break open his kingside and force him to spend more moves to castle queenside, or you can do Bd3 to make his knight useless for at least the few moves until he can reposition it.
Rickdd2 3 years ago
You should talk more about the main line,cause it seems like black has a slight advantage on the center
ElmarH 3 years ago
Extremely useful, and excellent presentation, I wouldn't change anything. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks Rick.
CDNchicken 3 years ago
good videos rick, imo, and very interesting watching. have watched a cpl of your vids now. think you would benefit greatly - ie. your vids would - from taking three mins of preparation before recording, so that the flow is better and easier to follow. but perhaps many like it like this, incl. you, so obviously, just mho.
thanks for posting!
knutoletube 3 years ago
Non conosco questo Ponziani, ma di certo sò che ha il mio cognome...
vanyetta 3 years ago
Great video. I will start practicing this opening.
DareDefyMe8 4 years ago
I hate you guys who swindle the game in the first 5 moves, hahaha!
jozez333 4 years ago
that goes against the opposition of a swindle...
a swindle is when you are LOSING the game and then you win because of a tactical trap.
emaster01 4 years ago
definition not opposition lol
emaster01 4 years ago
im not sure about yr main line there, i think it may be better to play Bb5 instead of Qa4, i think that commits the queen a little too early and it would probably wind up being better on b3 eventually anyway
idlenessss 4 years ago
no Qa4 is better because if Bb5, then they can kick the bishop with a6 and the strategy is messed up
MAfr3ak 4 years ago
Bb5 is very playable although you have more non-intuitive moves to remember with that line and better chances to get in trouble yourself I think: 4..dxe4 5.Nxe5 Qd5 6.Bxc6 bxc5 7.d4 exd3 8.O-O Be7 now you'll do Re1, c4 and Qf3 to get one or both pawns back; or 5..Qg5 gets a little crazy with the most common 6.Qa4 (..Qxg2 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.Qxc6 Kd8 9.Rf1 Bh3 10.Qxa8 Ke7 11.Kd1 is strange). Maybe better after 5..Qg5 is 6.d4 Qxg2 7.Rf1 threatening 8.Qa4 next if he tries to grab the h pawn.
Rickdd2 4 years ago
no.. Qa4 is better.. to control the e5 square.. then black reply with either Qd6 or f3.. but f3 is better
paipmaster 4 years ago
for black if d5, i personally like blacks position if they know the line
MAfr3ak 4 years ago
I definately agree, although whites positions are still playable. The Ponziani seems very intriguing to use against inferior competition, as you might be able to achieve a good position against them. Although the Spanish game tends to always get the weak black player into trouble anyways, even if they've memorized some theory...
manuelfranco1 4 years ago
Thanks for these videos this is a great opening. I once won an online game in 9 moves with it. Also I got a huge advantage in a game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 dxc3 6. Nc3 I chose this because if I would've sacked the f knight he would've protected the pawn with Qxf6.
I greatly appreciate what you have done to open my eyes to the ponziani.
TheFaceofRorschach 4 years ago
this is a great opening, it deserves to be played more, but what if instead of Nf6 or d5, what if f5? its been played against me and im not to sure what to play against it? can u make a vid with that in it? thanks rick
MAfr3ak 4 years ago
After 3..f5 then 4.d4 fxe5 5.Nxe5 and 5..Nf6 is the mainline (such as it is). 6.Bg5 is the most common response in the databases among masters who played this the past several years, but I like 6.Bb5 (second most popular continuation) because it stops black's d-pawn push at least temporarily. It's also the line GM Nakamura played against Julio Becerra last year (although Nakamura went on to lose due to a later blunder).
Rickdd2 4 years ago
Why doesn't black defend the knight with Be7 instead of f6 at 06:32 or Nge7 at 06:43?
bvanbussel 4 years ago
He needs to defend pawn at e5 first, f6 does that.
PARASOFT 4 years ago
Rick:
I hope you continue dong chess opening vids. You're style and commentary are excellent.
castle1925 4 years ago 2
The dxc3 move leaves you similarly to the danish gambit, but without the possibility of the trap for black because of a busted kingside it leaves black even worse
strizzetch 4 years ago
Instead of moving pawn to d6 at 1:00 he can go to d5 you cant en passant because pawn is pinned and queen can go to b4 and win the pawn back how would you counter that, would you move a3?
fatso2992 4 years ago
No, Nc3 attacking d5 and he can't really defend it because you're threatening Be2 to break the pin and take the f6 knight: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 Qe7 6.cxd4 d5 7.Nc3 ... if 7. ..Qe6 8. Ng5 and if (say) 7. ..Bf5 8.Bc2 Ne4 9. Nxd5.
Rickdd2 4 years ago
Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to play this line. Though I was having a game for fun with a guy i know who is rated around 2150-2200. The game went e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 c3 Nf6. At this stage, I thought I had him. However I moved d4 then he moved d5. What would you recommend in this scenario? Imanaged to keep the centre and material even until the middle game which I was quite impressed with.
aaronmcc23 4 years ago
Whether black moves to d5 or d6 the most common reply is Bb5 for white and you get a Ruy Lopez kind of structure. If black takes on e4 you take on e5 with the knight then you have pressure on the c6 knight. If black takes on d4 you push to e5 then take back on d4 with your knight, again pressuring c6. Equal chances but at least you are hopefully more familiar with the setup than your opponent.
Rickdd2 4 years ago
4 Qa4 is an option, after Bd7:
5 ed Nd4 6Qd1
after 4 Bb5 BCO gives: ..de 5Nxe5 Qg5! 6 Qa4 Qxg2
7 Rf1 Bh3
bolleharry5 4 years ago
Thank you for both of your videos Rick. I have been using the Ponziani for the past few weeks online and have a 1 day competition tomorrow. I'll try to play the ponziani and if i get the chance to play e4, e5, Nf3, Nc6, c3 I will make a video and reply to this one. I find online d6 is a common reply and even after doing a Ruy Lopez they still come out quite even. One guy played f5 which was also good. But hopefully I will get the opportunity to use this tomorrow.
aaronmcc23 4 years ago
Not bad, not bad. Cheerful analysis. Thanks for the video
maquesphakdor 4 years ago
Well, I played this today, and after d4 he played ...d6. What do you recommend after this?
rottenroman 4 years ago
Bb5 and transform it into a closed Ruy Lopez! That's actually a common reply I've found looking back on my games and I am probably going to make a new video about d6. You're threatening d5, so his best reply is ..a6 then Ba4 b5; Bb3 (or Bc2) and you have a closed Ruy Lopez. If he does Bd7 he's being passive and you'll want to exchange to open the center, castle and do Re1 to annoy his pieces on the 7th rank. Lots of good tactical possibilities for you.
Rickdd2 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
you suck
beenlasvegas 4 years ago
I tried playing this in a blitz game and they just put 2......f4 or d4. what should I do?
sax31 4 years ago
Do you mean 2..f5/d5 (Lativan and Elephant Gambits respectively, check Wikipedia for info on those!)
Rickdd2 4 years ago
No....
Meaning guarding defending the e pawn. I am not still familliar with the openings so what should I transpose or do ?
Regards
Adi
sax31 4 years ago
what happens if black plays bishop to d6.........
StarICIraft 4 years ago
When, after 3. c3? That would be dumb for him because he's blocking his d-pawn. You could do 4. d4, then after say ..Nf6, 5. dxe5 and if he takes with his knight you win material (6. Nxe5 Bxe5 7. f4 Bd6 8. e5), or if he takes with his bishop you take that with your knight and you now have your bishop pair while he doesn't (which usually means more tactical possibilities for you since you can control more space).
Rickdd2 4 years ago
what if instead of developing the knight and protect the pawn in the beginning what defense or opening would you use to counter
StarICIraft 4 years ago
The most interesting I think is ..f5 after white plays c3. GM Becerra played this against GM Nakamura earlier this year (google "becerra nakamura ponziani"). Opening up the f file that early I think is scary for most and I'd certainly play ..d5 instead (the "mainline"), but GM's I'd think would find ..f5 better because it lets you keep your center d pawn.
Rickdd2 4 years ago
Whats the most common time limit for moves in tournament. Did you play in a speed chess tournament when you played those moves?
qwertical 4 years ago
Those are just sort of analysis moves. I've played the Ponziani in both online blitz and long tournaments though. Tournament times vary, usually the 5-day big national Opens are 40 moves in 90 minutes then remainder in 60 minutes, while local weekend 1- or 2-day tourneys which I've mostly played in may only be full game in 45 or 60 minutes.
Rickdd2 4 years ago
Rick,
I'm 13 and i'm a 1650 rated player. This is a hell good opening but can u explain if there's any tricks if they play Nd5 after e5?
downloadkaru 4 years ago