Bibliography 5 Introduction 9 Illustrative Games 12

Transcription

1 Contents Bibliography 5 Introduction 9 Illustrative Games Ìf6 with 5...Ìe Ìf6 with 5...Ìb Ìf6 with 4...exd Ìf6 Miscellaneous Responses d5 4 Ëa4 Íd d5 4 Ëa4 f d5 4 Ëa4 Miscellaneous Responses d5 4 Íb f d Íe7 and Other 3rd Moves Miscellaneous 2nd Move Defences 281 Index of Variations 290 Index of Complete Games 301

2 Introduction The Ponziani Opening, 1 e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 c3, is often neglected by opening theory since White s third move does not immediately pressure Black. In many classic opening manuals grandmasters have expressed low opinions of the Ponziani Opening: Nick De Firmian in Modern Chess Openings 15: Ponziani s Opening is a simple attempt to build a strong pawn centre of e4 and d4. The plan is somewhat crude, however, and Black can equalize with little trouble. John Emms in Play the Open Game as Black: White s idea is based on sound general principles of controlling the centre, but it ignores the more pressing concern of development, and because of this it s actually Black who is allowed the first strike in the centre. Raymond Keene and Garry Kasparov in Batsford Chess Openings 2: The Ponziani is a very old opening which fails to pose problems for the defence, despite a logical basis. In a labour of love, Dave Taylor wrote the Ponziani Power book mostly from his own ideas and analysis. As with all things, time passed and opening theory evolved. As new ideas came up for each side Dave would post supplemental analysis on the internet at John Elburg s website. In 2001, I was looking to play 1 e4 again, but did not want to learn all the theory of the Ruy Lopez. I sought something easy to learn, solid, and good, but not in mainstream theory. The Ponziani Opening came to mind. I studied Ponziani 9

3 Play the Ponziani games, including a few by Dave, and was impressed with the Ponziani s solidness and control of the centre. In my investigations I was surprised to see that two noted attacking players, Mikhail Chigorin and Dragoljub Velimirovic, frequently used the Ponziani to attack in an opening that many grandmasters consider unthreatening. I was further impressed with Jack Showalter defeating the great Harry Pillsbury in three out of four games where they debated the Ponziani. It was not hard to conclude that the Ponziani would make a good surprise weapon, forcing opponents to think. I purchased Dave s Ponziani Power book and was quickly surprised at the dynamic potential the opening presented. Frequently I was able to catch speed chess opponents in this devilish trap: 1 e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 c3 Ìf6 4 d4 Ìxe4 5 d5 Ìe7 6 Ìxe5 d6? 7 Íb5+!, winning material. As I played the Ponziani Opening, I started to develop my own ideas and developed questions. Dave and I are old correspondence chess rivals and it was not long before I contacted him to discuss newer theory. Since the Ponziani Power book, the most notable change came from analysis done by John Emms in his book Play the Open Games as Black. The sharp line 3...d5 4 Íb5 can no longer be considered playable for White. This produced a major hole in Dave s original book. We have not been able to find any meaningful improvements in that line (see Chapter 8). On the bright side, White s alternative, 4 Ëa4, is scoring well. As Dave and I discussed more ideas, the thought of creating another Ponziani Opening book came about, and with a little prodding from me, Dave agreed to this project. As I mentioned, the core analysis stems from Dave s original efforts. My input on this edition is the extra narrative, game references, editing, and my analysis, which in part comes from being a sounding board and critical eye of Dave s ideas and analysis. The reader might find certain lines of analysis to be too long-winded or fanciful, but in presenting new ideas we thought it important to show concepts completely at risk of being proven wrong. In a collaborative effort we re-examined every line and worked on analysis until we were both satisfied. We believe we have armed the reader with everything they need to add the Ponziani Opening to their repertoire. The reader will also have to indulge one of the author s over-preparation traits. I find it frustrating to not know what authors propose when their suggested opening is avoided. To that end, I have given the reader a glimpse at my prepared analysis, from my own opening notebook. While the analysis is not extensive, 10

4 Introduction playing through the lines should give the reader confidence in facing non- Ponziani options. Keith Hayward November 2009 Comments: Dave Taylor The Ponziani is a fundamentally sound opening. It is rarely played and this is to the advantage of its practitioners. Much of the theory of the Ponziani Opening in the past and recent past has just been wrong. Masters and grandmasters alike have incorrectly analysed the opening. Thus, anyone who knows and plays this latest theory of the Ponziani will likely have an advantage over his unsuspecting opponent. This book is an evolution and extension of my previous book Ponziani Power. Much theory has been added and incorrect theory is shown to be wrong. Improvements have been found for White and Black in many variations. The opening can be played at all levels: beginners (set up a nice centre) to Grandmasters (play a sound opening for which others may not have sufficient knowledge). This book could be especially interesting for correspondence players, as the authors have thought of several lines to counter suggestions in recent books. For many it is a fun opening, as it can quickly put the opponent on his own resources. Finally I would like to thank Keith for the difficult task of formatting the book and giving much new analysis. Without his extensive efforts this book never would have existed. I would like to dedicate my efforts in this book to my industrious, empathic, self-sacrificing wife, Carol, and her sisters Jane, Jerlyn, and Maggie. Dave Taylor November

5 Illustrative Games The Ponziani Opening bluntly attempts to take control of the centre with 3 c3 followed by d2-d4. This classical motivation is shared in the Giuoco Piano line: 1 e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 Íc4 Íc5 4 c3 followed by d2-d4. The Ponziani delays the king bishop placement to execute the plan for central control one move quicker. The potential power of this approach can be seen with the following opening trap. Game 1 G.Fouchet-D.Volpi Milan e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 c3 Ìf6 4 d4 Ìxe4 5 d5 Ìe7 6 Ìxe5 d6? (see following diagram) A common mistake that frequently occurs in blitz. [rdb1kgw4] [0p0Whp0p] [WDW0WDWD] [DWDPHWDW] [WDWDnDWD] [DW)WDWDW] [P)WDW)P)] [$NGQIBDR] 7 Íb5+! c6 8 dxc6 Ëb6? Threatens mate, but loses in pretty style. Black had to play 8...bxc6 9 Ìxc6 Ëb6 10 Ìd4+ Êd , though he has zero compensation for the pawn and his king is in trouble. 9 cxb7+ Êd8 10 Ìxf7+ Êc7 11 bxa8ì+ 1-0 Ponziani Power! This trap is well worth memorizing, and a beautiful example of under-promotion! 12

6 Illustrative Games [NDbDWgW4] [0WiWhN0p] [W1W0WDWD] [DBDWDWDW] [WDWDnDWD] [DW)WDWDW] [P)WDW)P)] [$NGQIWDR] It is this opening trap that highlights the major difference between the Ponziani Opening and the Giuoco Piano. White can grab space boldly with d4-d5, and can later decide the most effective placement for the king bishop, e.g. Íf1-b5+. Despite this setback, 3...Ìf6 is the most popular response for Black. The move develops a piece and puts immediate counter-pressure on the white e- pawn. A typical move sequence is 1 e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 c3 Ìf6 4 d4 Ìxe4 5 d5 Ìe7 6 Ìxe5 Ìg6 7 Ëd4 Ëf6 8 Ëxe4 Ëxe5 9 Ëxe5+ Ìxe5 10 Ìd2 d6, leading to the following pawn structure: [WDWDWDWd] [0p0WDp0p] [WDW0WDWD] [DWDPDWDW] [WDWDWDWD] [DW)WDWDW] [P)WDW)P)] [DWDWDWDw] White has a nice space advantage due to his pawn on d5. His usual strategy is to play a4-a5, then c3-c4 with b2- b4 (or vice versa). The breaks will be with c4-c5 or b4-b5 depending on how the middlegame unfolds. Black has little to counter this queenside expansion plan, since playing...c7-c6 often leaves the d6-pawn weak and on an open file after a likely d5xc6. Black s best strategy is to seek opportunities on the kingside, but initially White has no real weaknesses there. Ultimately, Black must be patient and wait for his counter-chances. He often initiates piece trades to relieve pressure on his position, but we hope to show this passive approach is not pleasant for Black. We continue to look at games featuring 3...Ìf6. The following game shows White can play simple solid positional moves and squeeze Black. Game 2 A.Lukin-M.Novikov St Petersburg e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 c3 Ìf6 4 d4 Ìxe4 5 d5 Ìe7 6 Ìxe5 Ìg6 7 Ëd4 Ìxe5 We suspect Black was theoretically unprepared to meet the Ponziani. 7...Ëf6 is the common move here, covered in Chapter 1. Initially, 7...Ìxe5 appears to be a well-principled reaction. By trading a set of pieces, including the queens, Black believes that 13

7 Play the Ponziani White is left with no useful advantage. While that thought process might be correct in some other openings, in the Ponziani Black suffers for a long time due to his opponent s space advantage. 8 Ëxe4 Ëe7 9 Íe3 Ìg6 10 Ìd2 White has a good alternative in 10 Ëc4 c6 11 Ìd2 Ëh4 12 Ëe2 Êd8 13 Ìf3 Ëh Êc7 15 Ìg5 Ëxe2 16 Íxe2 with a strong initiative in M.Schäfer-R.Stern, German League Ëxe4 11 Ìxe4 [rdbdkgw4] [0p0pDp0p] [WDWDWDnD] [DWDPDWDW] [WDWDNDWD] [DW)WGWDW] [P)WDW)P)] [$WDWIBDR] This position shows the power of the Ponziani. Despite the trading of queens, White has a useful space advantage and a lead in development f6 Black would like to have played 11...d6, but after 12 Íd4 Ìf4 13 c4 he is struggling to develop. 12 Íe2 d Castling queenside would slow down White s plans to advance pawns on that side of the board Íe7 14 f4 f5 15 Ìd2 Íf6 16 Ìb Êf2 Íd7 18 g3 Ìe7 19 Îfd1 Îfe8 20 a4 a6 21 a5 [rdwdrdkd] [Dp0bhW0p] [pdw0wgwd] [)WDPDpDW] [WDWDW)WD] [DN)WGW)W] [W)WDBIW)] [$WDRDWDW] White s last two moves are a key part of the plan to keep Black bottled up. Chess engines will give White almost no edge, but notice how Black struggles to find anything useful to do Êf7 22 Íf3 g6 23 Îd2 h5 24 c4 h4 25 c5! Transforming his space advantage into a direct plan of action. White is in complete control here Ìg8 26 Îc1 hxg3+ 27 hxg3 Îec8 28 Ìd4 dxc5 29 Ìb3! b6 30 d6! [rdrdwdnd] [DW0bDkDW] [p0w)wgpd] [)W0WDpDW] [WDWDW)WD] [DNDWGB)W] [W)W$WIWD] [DW$WDWDW] The house of cards collapses! Black loses material and shortly the game cxd6 31 Íxa8 Îxa8 32 Îxd6 Íe6 14

8 Illustrative Games 33 Îxb6 c4 34 Ìc5 Íd5 35 Îd1 Ìe7 36 Ìd7 Íg7 37 Ìe5+ Íxe5 38 fxe5 Îh8 39 Íc5 Îh2+ 40 Êe3 1-0 This is a typical example of Ponziani Power. Black played what looked like respectable moves in the opening, but that allowed White a solid space edge, which in turn resulted in strong positional pressure. The further course of the game supports the old notion that a player subject to long defence is prone to error and can fold to sustained pressure. The previous game featured the traditional 7 Ëd4 line, but a newer move, 7 Ëf3!?, is proving to be equally good. IM Markus Schäfer has championed this with good results. For anyone curious, Taylor consistently plays 7 Ëd4, while Hayward prefers the slightly sharper 7 Ëf3. Game 3 M.Schäfer-S.Van Gisbergen Münster e4 e5 2 Ìf3 Ìc6 3 c3 Ìf6 4 d4 Ìxe4 5 d5 Ìe7 6 Ìxe5 Ìg6 7 Ëf3 Ëe7 8 Ìxg6 hxg6 9 Íe3 Îh5!? A creative move, adding pressure to the d5-pawn. In the theoretical section, we give 9...c6 as the main choice. 10 Íd3 Ìf6 11 c4 Ëe Ëb4+ 12 Ìd2 Ëxb2 13 Îb1 gives White good compensation for the pawn(s); for example, 13...Ëxa2 14 Íd4! Ëa3 15 c5, or 13...Ëe5 14 Ëe2 Íd6 15 Ìf3 Ëe Ìg4 17 c5!. 12 Ëe2 Íb4+ 13 Ìd2 [rdbdkdwd] [0p0pDp0W] [WDWDWhpD] [DWDP1WDr] [WgPDWDWD] [DWDBGWDW] [P)WHQ)P)] [$WDWIWDR] This position highlights the differences between 7 Ëd4 and 7 Ëf3. White has the typical space advantage, but the features of the position are more dynamic. Black has active pieces, but his kingside pawn structure has been compromised. White will castle queenside and can play overtly in the centre d6 The b-pawn is poisoned: 13...Ëxb2?? 14 Íd4+ cost Black his queen Íxd2+ 15 Ëxd2 Êf8 16 Îde1 White s pressure on the e-file makes his advantage obvious. Note that the h- pawn is poisoned due to Íf Ìg4 No better is 16...Íf5 17 f4 Ëe8 18 Íd4 Ëa4 19 b3 Ëa3+ 20 Êb1, when White s king is safe and Black s pieces look misplaced. 17 f4 Ëf6 18 Íg1 g5 19 Îf1 gxf4 20 Îxf4 Ëh6 21 Íe2 White removes the pressure from the h2-pawn. 15

9 Play the Ponziani [rdbdwiwd] [0p0WDp0W] [WDW0WDW1] [DWDPDWDr] [WDPDW$nD] [DWDWDWDW] [P)W!BDP)] [DWIWDWGR] 21...Ìe5 22 Íxh5 Ëxf4 A cute reduction combination, but unfortunately for Black, he is still left with a difficult middlegame. 23 Ëxf4 Ìd3+ 24 Êd2 Ìxf4 25 Íf3 Íf5 26 Íd4 f6 27 Îf1 Íg6 28 h4 b6 29 g3 Ìd3 30 h5 Íh7 31 h6 White handles the late middlegame with great skill Ìe5 32 Íe2 Îe8 33 b4 Êf7 34 hxg7 Êxg7 35 a4 c5? Opening the position up only helps White s bishops Íg6 offered more chances for a draw, waiting to see how White plays on the queenside. 36 dxc6 Ìxc6 37 Íxf6+ Êg8 [WDWDrDkD] [0WDWDWDb] [W0n0WGWD] [DWDWDWDW] [P)PDWDWD] [DWDWDW)W] [WDWIBDWD] [DWDWDRDW] 38 Íc3 Missing a quicker winning tactical shot in 38 c5! d5 (38...dxc5 allows a hard-to-see mate: 39 Íc4+ Êf8 40 Íe5+ Êe7 41 Îf7+ Êd8 42 Íc7+ Êc8 43 Ía6 mate) 39 b5 Ìa5 40 c6 and Black can resign Íe4 39 Îf6 Îd8 40 Îf4 Íg6 41 Íf3 Ìe5 42 Íd5+ Êg7 43 Íd4 Êh6 44 a5 [WDW4WDWD] [0WDWDWDW] [W0W0WDbi] [)WDBhWDW] [W)PGW$WD] [DWDWDW)W] [WDWIWDWD] [DWDWDWDW] Creating more weaknesses in Black s position the bishops dominate the ending bxa5 45 bxa5 Îd7 46 Êc3 Îc7 47 Êb3 Ìd7 48 Îh4+ Êg5 49 Îh8 Ìc5+ 50 Íxc5 dxc5 51 Êa4 Íf5 52 Êb5 Êf6 53 Êa6 Êe5 54 Íb7 Êd4 55 Êxa7 Êxc4 56 a6 1-0 One is left with the impression that Black was under constant pressure, being squeezed the whole game. White adopts another boa constrictor-like strategy in the next game, controlling space and slowly squeezing Black to death. 16