Ponziani Opening: Leonhardt Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
15,945 games: White 45.3% / Draw 4.2% / Black 50.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,86713K | ||
| 1,8211,821 | ||
| 760760 | ||
| 271271 | ||
| 191191 | ||
| 1313 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 88 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 3, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.19 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. Nxe5 Bd6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. d3 O-O 8. Be2 Re8 9. Nd2 Bg4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ponziani Opening: Leonhardt Variation (ECO C44, Open Games) is a variation of the Ponziani Opening, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Qa4 Nf6 (4 moves).
In 15,945 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.3%, Black 50.5% and 4.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Nxe5, in 81% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Ponziani Opening: Leonhardt Variation
The most played answer, 5. Nxe5, also scores best for White: 48.9%, with White winning 46.8% and Black 49.0% of 13K games. Of the main answers, 5. exd5 scores lowest: 38.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. Nxe5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Ponziani Opening: Leonhardt Variation (C44)”. Lichess data as of 3 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ponziani-opening-leonhardt-variation