Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Bb5

ECO C44

The Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation is a chess opening line in the Ponziani Opening complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Bb5.

It is catalogued under code C44 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bb5 is chosen by White on move 4.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Nikitin Gambit.

Named variations

• Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit — ECO C44

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Scotch Opening course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.