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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. c3/3...d6

Ponziani Opening
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a
b
c
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e
f
g
h

Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6
ECO code: C44
Parent: Ponziani Opening

3...d6

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3...d6!? is a passive reply. It reinforces Black's e pawn, but there was not much threat to it and it hems in Black's dark square bishop. Black essentially passes a turn and allows White 4. d4, more space and easy development. White can even choose to push d5, kicking away Black's knight, and c4.

This is much more common at the amateur level than the master level[1] where it is most often followed by 4. d4 exd4 5. cxd4 ±, Black giving up a central pawn for no compensation, after which Black may end up playing d5 anyway and wonder why they didn't play it on move three.

Theory table

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1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6

4 5 6 7 8
d4
Be7
d5
Nb8
Bd3
Nf6
Be3
c6
c4
 

References

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  1. 11% of games vs. 4% of games respectively in the Lichess databases.

See also

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  • Taylor, Dave; Hayward, Keith (2010). Play the Ponziani. London: Everyman Chess. ISBN 1 8574 4620 8.
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v · t · e
Chess Opening Theory
1. e4 e5
Open games
3. Bb5
Spanish
3. Bc4
Italian
3. Nc3 Nf6
Four knights
Other
2...Nf6
Russian
2...d6
Philidor
Other
2. f4
King's gambit
2. Nc3
Vienna
Other
1. e4 c5
Sicilian
1. e4 e6
French
1. e4 c6
Caro-Kann
1. e4 other
1. d4 d5
Closed games
1. d4 Nf6
Indian
1. d4 f5
Dutch
1. d4 ...other:
Flank
Unorthodox