Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
5,382 games: White 47.3% / Draw 5.7% / Black 46.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,2513,251 | ||
| 1,1731,173 | ||
| 910910 | ||
| 2525 | ||
| 66 | ||
| 66 | ||
| 44 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.45 Black is slightly better
Best play: 6... Ne7 7. Nxc6 Nxc6 8. O-O Bd7 9. d4 exd3 10. Re1+ Be7 11. Qc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit (ECO C44, Open Games) is a gambit in the Ponziani Opening: Spanish Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4 (6 moves).
In 5,382 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.3%, Black 46.9% and 5.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…Ne7, in 60% 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: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit
The most played answer, 6…Ne7, also scores best for Black: 56.8%, with Black winning 54.3% and White 40.7% of 3,251 games. Of the main answers, 6…Qxe5 scores lowest: 36.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…Ne7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit (C44)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ponziani-opening-spanish-variation-harrwitz-attack-nikitin-gambit