Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. c3/3...d6
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
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Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6 | |
ECO code: C44 | |
Parent: Ponziani Opening |
3...d6
[edit | edit source]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 level[1] 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
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1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||
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d4 Be7 |
d5 Nb8 |
Bd3 Nf6 |
Be3 c6 |
c4 |
⩲ |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 11% of games vs. 4% of games respectively in the Lichess databases.
See also
[edit | edit source]- Taylor, Dave; Hayward, Keith (2010). Play the Ponziani. London: Everyman Chess. ISBN 1 8574 4620 8.