Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...Nf6/3. d4

Bishop's Opening: Ponziani-Urusov Gambit
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4p3/2BPP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQK1NR b
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4

Bishop's Opening: Ponziani-Urusov Gambit

3. d4!?

The Ponziani-Urusov Gambit is a line in which White sacrifices a pawn early in the game. White will occupy the centre at the beginning of the game and challenge Black’s central control.

Black strongest and natural response is to accept the gambit with 3...exd4. If Black try to transpose to the Two Knights Defence with 3...Nc6?!, then White have 4. d5!, which prevent entering in that Defence and will struggle the Black position.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4!?

	3	4	5	6	7
Main Line	... exd4!					=
	... Nc6?!	d5! Nb8	Nf3 Bc5	Nxe5		⩲
	... ...	... Ne7	Nc3 d6	a4		⩲
	... ...	... Na5	Bd3 c6	Nf3 Qc7	O-O	⩲
Two Knights Defence	... ...	Nf3				=

References

• Panov, Vasily. (1973). Teoría de Aperturas, Tomo I: Aperturas Abiertas - Aperturas Semiabiertas. ISBN 84-270-0132-0.