Ponziani Opening: Vukovic Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
43,763 games: White 40.4% / Draw 3.5% / Black 56.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 25,36725K | ||
| 17,41817K | ||
| 337337 | ||
| 215215 | ||
| 8989 | ||
| 6565 | ||
| 5454 | ||
| 5050 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.06 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. dxc6 Bxf2+ 7. Ke2 Bb6 8. Qd5 Nf2 9. Rg1 O-O 10. cxb7 Bxb7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ponziani Opening: Vukovic Gambit (ECO C44, Open Games) is a gambit in the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5 (5 moves).
In 43,763 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 40.4%, Black 56.1% and 3.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. dxc6, in 58% 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: Vukovic Gambit
The most played answer, 6. dxc6, also scores best for White: 42.8%, with White winning 41.1% and Black 55.5% of 25K games. Of the main answers, 6. Be3 scores lowest: 42.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. dxc6.
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: Vukovic Gambit (C44)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ponziani-opening-vukovic-gambit