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The Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit is a rather risky but fun counterattack by Black against the Fried Liver Attack in the Italian Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bf6 Nf6 4. Ng5 Nxe4). According to the evaluation, it objectively shouldn’t work as White is better at [+3]. However, in practice, I’m finding that it is still a potent weapon against opponents in the 1500s in rapid!

The first game is the ideal line! White persists with the Fried Liver Attack (5. Nxf7) and this makes the gambit immediately worthwhile with the evaluation now flipping to [-0.5], giving the advantage to Black. With (5… Qh4) White is facing a mate-in-1 threat, and one of the most common and intuitive responses (6. Qf3) is a disastrous blunder [-11]! After I advance a second knight into the centre (6… Nd4) there is now overwhelming pressures on White’s king. In this game, my opponent in an annoying and unsportsman-like manner, stalled the game by not playing a move for 9 minutes in this position. When they finally moved, they gave no apologies or explanation, and hung checkmate!

The second game was another Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit against a 1600-rated player. They played the critical move for White against the gambit (5. Bxf7+) and Black is potentially in some trouble. However, it isn’t easy to play the position for White, especially if they aren’t familiar with the gambit. I’m forced to move my king (5… Ke7) and White has another critical move to play, which is (6. d4). This, however, is not obvious, and in this match, my opponent played the natural looking (6. Nxe4) instead. However, this brings the evaluation back to [+0.5].

After capturing White’s bishop and White bringing out their queen (6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+), I make a potentially fatal blunder! I couldn’t remember whether I should bring my king to g8 or e8 against the check, and eventually chose (7… Kg8). This was a major mistake [+9] as White can force win my queen. However, again, it is not easy to find (8. Ng5 Qe7 9. Qd5+ Qe6 10. Nxe6). White played what seemed to be a sensible developing move (8. d3) but this was a blunderous “miss”, with the evaluation now favouring Black at [-2]. So incredibly, despite White finding the first critical move, and me making a game-ending error, I still managed to enter the middle game with good control of the centre, and a slight advantage!

This is one of the powers of the Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit! It is hard to navigate the position for White, and perhaps, easier for Black, especially if you have the familiarity in the position. My opponent was rated almost 200 ELO above me and yet, it still worked!

The rest of the game was quite complex and was equal. I won a good advantage when White blundered one of their rooks, and we entered a rook and knight versus rook pair endgame. However, my opponent played well, and I couldn’t find a way in the game to break through their position and take the advantage. Eventually, as I had about a minute left on the clock versus their 17 minutes, I hoped to play solid but shuffling moves and the game ended in a draw by threefold repetition. GG!

Game 1: https://www.chess.com/game/live/69569172789
Game 2: https://www.chess.com/game/live/69467746457

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "drsroychowdhury"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C57"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Italian-Game-Knight-Attack-Ponziani-Steinitz-Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2023.02.08"]
[UTCTime "04:24:42"]
[WhiteElo "1495"]
[BlackElo "1441"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[StartTime "04:24:42"]
[EndDate "2023.02.08"]
[EndTime "04:37:11"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/69569172789"]
[WhiteUrl "https://www.chess.com/bundles/web/images/noavatar_l.84a92436.gif"]
[WhiteCountry "69"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.82046355.50x50o.c8c8e6b7296c.jpg"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:29:47.5]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:29:57.6]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:29:41.8]}
2... Nc6 {[%clk 0:29:56.1]} 3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:29:24.5]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk
0:29:54.6]} 4. Ng5 {[%clk 0:28:34.7][%c_arrow
g5f7;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false,f7h8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,f7d8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]} 4... Nxe4 {[%clk
0:29:51.9][%c_arrow
g5f7;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false,f7h8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false,f7d8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false] Italian Game: Knight
Attack, Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit. It's objectively fairly dodgy at worse than
[+3], but it can be quite tricky to play against.} 5. Nxf7 $2 $9 {[%clk
0:27:26.2][%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White will
commonly continue with the Fried Liver Attack and this is a mistake [-0.5]} 5...
Qh4 $1 {[%clk 0:29:48.8][%c_effect
h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4f2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false,h4f2;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false]} 6. Qf3 $4 {[%clk
0:27:11.3][%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4f2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false,h4f2;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false] A common, but major
blunder [-11]} 6... Nd4 $1 {[%clk 0:29:45.4][%c_effect
d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d4f3;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false,d4c2;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;c2;persistent;false,h4f2;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false,e4f2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false,c2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c2;persistent;false,f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false]}
7. Qd1 $4 {[%clk 0:17:54.3][%c_arrow
e4f2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false,h4f2;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f2;persistent;false][%c_effect
d1;square;d1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 7... Qxf2# {[%clk
0:29:40.9][%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Winner,e1;square;e1;type;CheckmateWhite]}
0-1


[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Malaiglica"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C57"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Italian-Game-Knight-Attack-Ponziani-Steinitz-Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2023.02.07"]
[UTCTime "00:12:23"]
[WhiteElo "1597"]
[BlackElo "1437"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[Termination "Game drawn by repetition"]
[StartTime "00:12:23"]
[EndDate "2023.02.07"]
[EndTime "00:53:56"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/69467746457"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/71758730.acc188f3.50x50o.83c3853bed0e.png"]
[WhiteCountry "231"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.82046355.50x50o.c8c8e6b7296c.jpg"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:29:59.1]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:29:49]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 0:29:57.5]} 2...
Nc6 {[%clk 0:29:38.5]} 3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:29:56.2]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk 0:29:34.2]} 4.
Ng5 {[%clk 0:29:54.8]} 4... Nxe4 {[%clk 0:29:27.5] Italian Game: Knight Attack,
Ponziani-Steinitz Gambit [+3].} 5. Bxf7+ $1 {[%clk 0:29:29.2][%c_effect
f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best response by White,
and Black is potentially in some serious trouble. However, it isn't easy for
White to play.} 5... Ke7 {[%clk 0:29:21.9]} 6. Nxe4 $2 {[%clk 0:29:18.8][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d2d4;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false] And this natural
looking move is a mistake with White losing almost their entire advantage
[+0.5]. The best move (d4) is not obvious.} 6... Kxf7 $1 {[%clk
0:29:12.6][%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 7. Qf3+
{[%clk 0:29:16.3]} 7... Kg8 $4 {[%clk 0:28:22.4][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f7e8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false] Here, I couldn't
remember the best move and make a blunder [+9]. Luckily for me, White didn't
capitalise $1} 8. d3 $4 $9 {[%clk 0:28:58.7][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4g5;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false] A blunderous miss
[-2] and an example of how easy it is to misplay this position for White $1} ({How
White could have punished me and won my queen...} 8. Ng5 {[%c_arrow
g5f7;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false,f3f7;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false]} 8... Qe7 9. Qd5+ Qe6
10. Nxe6 dxe6 11. Qe4 {And chess continues but Black is completely lost $1}) 8...
Nd4 {[%clk 0:28:14.4]} 9. Qd1 {[%clk 0:28:56.6]} 9... d5 {[%clk 0:27:48.3] And
somehow, I come out of a blunderous opening with nice central control and a nice
advantage of roughly [-1.7] $1} 10. Ng3 {[%clk 0:28:36.5]} 10... Bc5 $2 {[%clk
0:25:51.2][%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h7h5;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false] A relatively mistake
[-0.5]. Given the position, an unorthodox developing of the rook is best.} 11.
O-O $2 $9 {[%clk 0:28:15.6][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_highlight
c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false][%c_arrow
c2c3;keyPressed;none;from;c2;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false] A mistake
[-3.6]} 11... Nf5 $2 $9 {[%clk 0:24:22.6][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h7h5;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false] A mistake [0.00]} 12.
Nxf5 {[%clk 0:28:00.5]} 12... Bxf5 {[%clk 0:24:18.4]} 13. Be3 {[%clk 0:27:32.4]}
13... d4 {[%clk 0:24:03.5]} 14. Bd2 $6 {[%clk 0:27:27.8][%c_arrow
e3c1;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;c1;persistent;false][%c_effect
d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_highlight
c1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c1;persistent;false] Surprisingly,
Stockfish evaluates that underveloping the bishop was better [-0.6] as it allows
the knight to develop to d2} 14... Qd6 $2 {[%clk 0:22:41.8][%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8d5;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] Complicated position
[+0.7]} 15. a3 $6 {[%clk 0:27:04.7][%c_effect
a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1f3;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false] [-0.3]} 15... Re8 $6
{[%clk 0:21:40.2][%c_effect
e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h7h6;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] [+0.3]} 16. b4 $6
{[%clk 0:26:59.9][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d2b4;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;b4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b4;persistent;false] [-0.25]} 16... Bb6
{[%clk 0:20:47.2]} 17. Qf3 $6 {[%clk 0:26:54][%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a3a4;keyPressed;none;from;a3;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false] [-1]} 17... Qg6 $1
{[%clk 0:19:53.1][%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.
Qg3 {[%clk 0:26:29.2]} 18... c5 $2 {[%clk 0:18:04.4][%c_effect
c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] [0.00]} 19. Qxg6 {[%clk 0:26:24]}
19... Bxg6 {[%clk 0:18:01][%c_arrow
h7g6;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false] Potentially,
capturing with the h-pawn might have been better as it opens up the h-file for
the rook} 20. Re1 $6 {[%clk 0:25:51.5][%c_effect
e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b4c5;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;c5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c5;persistent;false] [-0.9]} 20... h5 $6
{[%clk 0:17:00.3][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g8f7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f7;persistent;false] [0.00]. Allowing for
the development of the rook was better.} 21. bxc5 {[%clk 0:25:33.4]} 21... Bxc5
{[%clk 0:16:55.1]} 22. Bb4 {[%clk 0:25:32.2]} 22... b6 $2 {[%clk
0:16:28.1][%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c5b6;keyPressed;none;from;c5;opacity;0.8;to;b6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b6;persistent;false] A relative mistake
[+1.2]} 23. Nd2 {[%clk 0:25:26.4]} 23... Bxb4 $2 {[%clk 0:15:54.1][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was the incorrect tactical
approach and I'm now quite behind [+3.4]} 24. axb4 {[%clk 0:25:23.2]} 24...
Re7 $6 {[%clk 0:15:18][%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]}
25. Ra6 $2 {[%clk 0:25:02.8][%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
Though this doesn't work for White either [+0.5]} 25... Kh7 {[%clk 0:14:48]} 26.
f3 {[%clk 0:25:00.4]} 26... Rc8 {[%clk 0:14:30.5]} 27. Ra2 {[%clk 0:24:17.7]}
27... Bf7 {[%clk 0:13:36.9]} 28. Rb2 {[%clk 0:24:11.8]} 28... b5 $6 {[%clk
0:12:45.4][%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g7g5;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false]} 29. Ne4 {[%clk
0:23:56.5]} 29... Kg6 $2 {[%clk 0:11:53.3][%c_effect
g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c8c6;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;c6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c6;persistent;false]} 30. Ra1 $6 {[%clk
0:23:37.1][%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e4d6;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false] White missed a
potential knight fork} 30... Rec7 $2 {[%clk 0:11:19.5][%c_effect
c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h5h4;keyPressed;none;from;h5;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false] Stockfish didn't
think this was the right tactical approach and thought that pushing the h-pawn
was where the attack had merit [+2.1]} 31. Nc5 {[%clk 0:23:31.9]} 31... Bd5
{[%clk 0:10:17.4]} 32. h3 $2 {[%clk 0:22:38.2][%c_effect
h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a1a5;keyPressed;none;from;a1;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false]} 32... h4 $6 {[%clk
0:09:21.5][%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g6f5;keyPressed;none;from;g6;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false]} 33. Rba2 $4 {[%clk
0:21:34][%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] White hangs their
rook [-6.3]} 33... Bxa2 {[%clk 0:08:59.4]} 34. Rxa2 {[%clk 0:21:32.9]} 34... Ra8
{[%clk 0:08:44]} 35. Ra6+ {[%clk 0:21:16.1]} 35... Kf5 {[%clk 0:08:15.3]} 36.
Kf2 {[%clk 0:21:05.8]} 36... g5 $2 {[%clk 0:07:42.3][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a8b8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;b8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b8;persistent;false] This was apparently
the wrong approach [-2.8]} 37. g4+ {[%clk 0:20:35.5]} 37... hxg3+ $1 {[%clk
0:07:36.6][%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38. Kxg3
{[%clk 0:20:34.4]} 38... Re8 $2 {[%clk 0:05:01.4][%c_effect
e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39. Ne4 $6 {[%clk
0:20:30.3][%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 39... Re6 $1
{[%clk 0:04:06.2][%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.
Ra2 $6 {[%clk 0:19:55.3][%c_effect
a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a6a5;keyPressed;none;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false]} 40... Rec6 {[%clk
0:03:46.9]} 41. Nc5 {[%clk 0:19:52.2]} 41... Re7 {[%clk 0:03:12.3]} 42. Ra5
{[%clk 0:18:54.2]} 42... Rb6 {[%clk 0:02:47.9]} 43. Ne4 {[%clk 0:18:27.6]} 43...
Rc7 {[%clk 0:02:36.5]} 44. Nc5 {[%clk 0:18:17.6]} 44... Re7 {[%clk 0:02:14.5]}
45. Ne4 {[%clk 0:18:12.8]} 45... Rc7 {[%clk 0:02:11.2]} 46. Ra2 $6 {[%clk
0:18:06.2][%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 46... Rbc6
{[%clk 0:01:57.9]} 47. Nc5 {[%clk 0:17:52.6]} 47... Re7 {[%clk 0:01:44.6]} 48.
Ra5 {[%clk 0:17:13.5]} 48... Rb6 $2 {[%clk 0:01:38.3][%c_effect
b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true,f5;square;f5;type;DrawBlack,g3;square;g3;type;DrawWhite]
With only about a minute left vs. my opponent's 17 minutes, I decided to opt for
a draw, unable to find a path forward...} ({The alternative to avoid the draw
potentially enters and endgame of rook vs knight...} 48... a6 49. Nxa6 Ra7 50.
Rxb5 (50. Nb8 Rxa5 51. Nxc6 Ra2)) 1/2-1/2