Ponziani Update
January 4th 2001
[David Taylor]
PONZIANI UPDATE #2
by David Taylor
This update has to do with a line found in the Ponziani and also (via transposition) in a Goring Gambit Declined:
1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.c3
[ 3.d4
exd4
4.c3
Nf6
5.e5
[Goring Gambit Declined]] 3...Nf6
4.d4
exd4
5.e5
Diagram [Ponziani]
For this update we are examing this follow up: 5...Ne4
[ 5...Nd5
is also possible] 6.Qe2
f5
[ 6...d5
is inferior. The refutation can be found in my book or in most books on the Goring Gambit Declined]] 7.exf6
d5
8.Nbd2
d3
[ 8...Qxf6
; and 8...Bf5
are often seen also. Recent analysis gives White some advantage] 9.f7+
[ 9.Qe3
is a reasonable alternative] 9...Kxf7
10.Qxd3
Diagram and here we branch off with 10...Bf5
[ 10...Nf6
according to Watson and Schiller the idea behind this move is this follow up: 11.Be2
Bd6
12.Ng5+
Kg8
13.0-0
Ne5
14.Qc2
g6!
planning 15.--
Bf5
and 16.--
Kg7
however this line is untested as far as I know; 10...Nf6
Here is what I suggest: 11.Be2
Bd6
12.Ng5+
Kg8
13.Nde4
Diagram the knight cannot be taken 13...Be5
14.Ng3
some White advantage; 10...Nc5
11.Qc2
Bd6
12.Nb3
Diagram and now we branch off with: 12...Bg4
( 12...Re8+
13.Be3
Nxb3
( 13...Kg8
14.0-0-0
White advantage) 14.Qxb3
Kg8
15.0-0-0
White advantage; 12...Nxb3
13.Qxb3
Re8+
( 13...Bc5
14.Ng5+
Kg8
15.Bc4
White advantage) 14.Be3
Kg8
15.0-0-0
White advantage) 13.Ng5+
Kg8
14.Be3
Qe8
15.Be2
Bxe2
16.Qxe2
Nxb3
17.axb3
h6
18.Nf3
White advantage] 11.Nxe4
Bxe4
12.Ng5+
Qxg5
13.Bxg5
Bxd3
14.Bxd3
Kristov claims White has the advantage here 14...Re8+
15.Be3!
Diagram [ 15.Kd2
Bc5
16.Bh4
Ne5=
Harding] 15...Bc5
16.0-0
Bxe3
17.fxe3+
Ke7
18.e4
d4
19.Bb5
dxc3
20.bxc3
some White advantage *
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