8765432abcdefgh1

Ponziani Opening

Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit

C44gambittacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.c3d5
  4. 4.Bb5dxe4
  5. 5.Nxe5Qd5
  6. 6.Qa4

No game statistics for this position yet.

A rare gambit line of the Ponziani's Spanish Variation, where White answers 5...Qd5 with 6. Qa4, pinning the c6-knight and leading to tactical play.

Train it in Theoria

About the Nikitin Gambit

This line arises from the Spanish Variation when Black meets 4...dxe4 5. Nxe5 with 5...Qd5 rather than the stronger 5...Qg5. The queen on d5 attacks both the b5-bishop and the e5-knight. White replies 6. Qa4, which defends the bishop and pins the c6-knight against the king. The result is a sharp, tactical position that seldom appears in serious play.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.