Theoria
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Ponziani Opening

Caro Gambit

C44gambittacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.c3d5
  4. 4.Qa4Bd7
527 games43%53%

Ponziani gambit line where Black unpins with 4...Bd7, giving up the d5-pawn for quick counterplay against White's queen after ...Nd4.

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About the Caro Gambit

The Caro Gambit, 4...Bd7, answers White's pin on the c6-knight by unpinning it. This keeps e5 protected but blocks Black's own queen from d5 and so concedes that pawn. White nearly always takes with 5. exd5, after which 5...Nd4 uncovers an attack on the queen. Following 6. Qd1 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3, Black has defused White's early pressure but is a pawn down. Max Euwe doubted its soundness, yet the engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and Black scores well online.

Popular continuations