Ponziani Opening: Réti Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
21,580 games: White 49.2% / Draw 4.2% / Black 46.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 14,93015K | ||
| 2,2482,248 | ||
| 1,2711,271 | ||
| 963963 | ||
| 710710 | ||
| 343343 | ||
| 267267 | ||
| 246246 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.24 The position is about equal
Best play: 4. Bc4 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ponziani Opening: Réti Variation (ECO C44, Open Games) is a variation of the Ponziani Opening, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nge7 (3 moves).
In 21,580 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.2%, Black 46.7% and 4.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. d4, in 69% 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: Réti Variation
4. Bc4 scores best for White: 53.6%, with White winning 51.8% and Black 44.7% of 2,248 games. The most played, 4. d4, scores 51.3% in 15K games, and 4. Bb5 scores lowest: 47.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. Bc4.
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: Réti Variation (C44)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ponziani-opening-reti-variation