A Beginner Lesson in the Ponziani Opening

In this video, I give a chess lesson to PogChamps 4 Participant ‪@Fundy‬ on how to play the Ponziani Opening for white. The Ponziani is a simple and tricky opening that can be very effective at the beginner level. Learn more about PogChamps 4: www.chess.com/...
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Eric Rosen
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[@SebastianBohn]

Eric at his best: super educative, calm, and entertaining. The chess teacher everyone wants.

[@davidnelson4960]

Amen. He gets it.

[@Skelloter]

You forgot Alpha Male Giga Chad

[@普森吃烤雞]

Daniel Naroditsky

[@Emmanuel-yj4tp]

Well apart from the fact that he usually plays tricky gambits and trap openings, he's a very good and educational content creator. Still, I would suggest him to increase playing sessions with other mainline openings to be honest.

[@slap_media5296]

And then there’s Eric Hansen and the botez sisters lol

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

Okay, I've watched this video. You can now delete it and hide it from my enemies. Thanks.

[@shaheerirfan8099]

Best comment ever 😂😂

[@prithwishchakraborty6143]

Most realistic

[@Finding_the_truth_422]

😂😂😂 sooper statement

[@deanreinglas3679]

😁

[@cynicalreality]

🤣🤣🤣

[@marcinfrackiewicz8391]

One of your best educational videos. I would definitely watch more content in this format. Also, I'm a fan of your work and personality.

[@vukb723]

Same, I've been playing since January and I find Eric's videos really helpful. The meme ones and the serious ones :)

[@andyt9142]

That format really helps not only to learn the moves but also to understand the common ideas of the opening. Eric does really well in explaining those things. One of the best on KZbin

[@meneermankepoot]

This is really, and i mean REALLY nice. I love it when the openings can be explained as: if they *dont* do this you always do this

[@CrotoCiruja]

I have been playing ponziani for a few months and this video covers all the main moves, it's great for beginners players like me, thanks!

[@WhatDoYouMemeSir]

I’ve been playing chess on and off for more than 4 months now. I’m not so good with the calculations but I love watching vids like this.

[@remcoterharmsel3147]

A suggestion: quit playing blitz. Only play 30 min+ games. Gives you time to think and calculate and improve on those parts (maybe u already do this, but it helped me a lot!)

[@Mati-e2w]

also, if you play online and wanna play irl chess, stop using arrows to calculate because ur gonna struggle a lot.

[@mayankgg1]

Same here

[@meow6991]

I am a beginner too man... what's your Id ?

[@seanmartens8740]

@@Mati-e2w This is such a good tip. I've not been using Arrows but have been considering it. Now I wont! :)

[@JackTonge]

Black’s Responses: 1. Bc5: 1:45 2. d6: 2:55 3. d5: 5:55 4. Nf6: 10:00

[@lp4969]

Eric is an insanely good openings teacher, and he can teach to complete beginners as well as titled players

[@arthurtornabene-zalas3501]

I have played chess for 20 years, and this short lesson on the Ponziani was so intuitive. Ideas that I see in many games, often against me! I feel clearer about my game now than before this video. Thank you

[@idaborrel8457]

😊😊😊😊$😊QZ

[@jopi8138]

Thank you, Eric! I really like the Ponziani. I recently joined a chess club and registered for the club championship. The first game I played against my (1500) opponent went downhill pretty quickly after 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 5. cxd4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 d6 7. d5 Ne5 8. Qa4+ (so the exact same position Eric shows at 2:40 !) Credit to you, Eric! For first introducing me to this opening

[@ldgaming4213]

What colour were you?

[@jopi8138]

@@ldgaming4213 If I had been playing with black I probably wouldn't be very happy about it, considering I lost a piece. And I wouldn't play Bc5 against the Ponziani since it's just an inferior move, as conveyed in this video.

[@ldgaming4213]

@@jopi8138 I see

[@benson8686]

I tried this as soon as I watch the opening sequence and it worked so well. Just amazing

[@vegafoo]

Eric saying "Oh no, my ____" is my happy place.

[@luisrodrigueziii7316]

Seriously the best chess education you can get. Thanks brother.

[@vladimirsadykov7415]

Hi Eric! Just wanted to say thank you for this amazing video! I've been studying it and using in online games for around a year, with quite some success. And last week I took part in my first OTB tournament. It didn't go that well because of poor time management, but in my last game I finally got to play the Ponziani and absolutely crushed my opponent. Felt reeealy good! Thanks again for all the efforts, looking forward to new great lessons!

[@stevemotocrayz2892]

Thanks!

[@eric-rosen]

Thanks so much!

[@arya6085]

Yesssss I started playing this from Eric's videos and always wanted a full video on it! Perfect

[@TheChessGiant]

The Ponziani is one of the most underrated chess openings out there!

[@c.k.636]

And that's a good thing because not everyone will know a way to fight against it

[@athanshg8199]

Wonderful trap! Have played it so many times successfully.

[@thebus3181]

Yes

[@jackcook3471]

If you like playing the trap, you can also play it in the Alapin Sicilian. I played the delayed Alapin and this trick comes up pretty often!

[@adriannngp2012]

i just figured the name of the opening i've been playing as white for the past couple months and the lessons ive learned on this video filled me with gratitude really thank you so much man

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

I'm an 1200 rapid 800 blitz & I've NEVER gotten any of those traps

[@mjsoupcampbell]

A very fun line that black can try is the Vukovic Gambit which goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5! I’d be interested to see Eric’s analysis of this line. Black sacrifices at least a piece in the main continuation but gets a good attack against the white king.

[@EvilDogProductions]

Thank you Eric you are making me REALLY enjoy my chess learning experience right now. You are doing everything right. Much love from Canada

[@IvanZovkoKeys]

Eric is reading my mind, I just started playing Ponziani few days ago, thanks Senpai 😍

[@benkasper4035]

I love the lessons where the person you are teaching isnt an idiot, this guys is sharp

[@otavianobarneschi]

Best Ponziani video on KZbin. Thank you so much for the class

[@daanrosies7694]

This is actually a really great trap / opening for white because of the many forcing variations this opening has. Most people don't know counterplay against these lines. This opening will surely help me improve as a chess player. Thank for the opening!

[@kokosnood]

I like your style. I was watching the Ponziani opening from Gotham, but he keeps yelling at the viewer. I learn better from a calm presenter. Thanks

[@alrineusaldore6764]

Came here for the cool info from eric, then realized he's teaching Fundy and enjoyed it even more. Really fun seeing 2 of my favorite youtubers have the most unexpected collab

[@neptunesbounty1786]

You are the best Chess content creator out there. I love your videos Eric. Following your speedrun journey has been so education - I’m on the Ponziani episode (ep ~22) which lead me here. I hope to meet you one day if you’re ever in the UK!

[@aGr3atD4y]

What an amazingly instructive video - thank you!

[@paulswann5117]

Can we get more openings explained like this with a joyful student? Really nice Thankyou Eric

[@BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMval]

Can you make a playlist for all of these openings tutorials, i watched your beginners guide to stafford gambit aswell and it was great, would be cool to have them all in one convenient place

[@surgicalgobleen]

Ponziani: Makes this for GM's Eric: Lets teach it to begginers!

[@ziwuri]

I mean it works the best against beginners and if you can get all the variations committed to memory, you'll probably play like 25% of your games in this system even in the quadruple digits. I think I gonna look into this and try to learn it.

[@jonathanleonard1152]

It is probable that I will never play chess, yet Eric’s demos and games are so very entertaining.

[@pagecollector4856]

I recommend to trie playing chess online!

[@swanwatcher8816]

Make this a new series!!

[@alfonsoalmadin0407]

I've been waiting for this. Btw you're my fave chess player

[@ahmedalromaih7997]

seen this session several times. I just started chess a month ago currently rated 800s". Thank you.

[@eliyahusoharev5858]

Wow! Such a great lesson, thanks Eric!❤

[@oliverbarton2353]

Just finished watching one of Fundy's mc videos and then switch to this but I can still hear Fundy, thought I was going mad XD Another fantastic lesson I don't know what I would do to learn chess without these thank you Lord Eric!

[@GermanGills]

I tried playing this when I saw a five minute video. Didn't work. Watched this, more depth and lines. Played it again for the first time and won with ease! Thanks from a two month experienced Chess player.

[@roma1qwerty]

I do really like your videos. I gained like 100 ELO points in just a few weeks, thanks to your stafford gambit. Keep going! :)

[@rand504]

So helpful, the ponziani truly is VENEMOUS

[@juicen3734]

The Nemo resigning trap! My first game trying it out I won the material using that baited pawn

[@nology1504]

eric: u start with e4 that student : wow yeah

[@SwagnusCarlton]

1. Bc5: 1:45 2. d6: 2:55 3. d5: 5:55 4. Nf6: 10:00

[@mephistopheles858]

Been here for 3 times to memorize these main lines. Thank you so much!

[@odielarson]

Used this tool recently. My favorite opening now.

[@shanastroskyphazer8172]

You are a great player and teacher Eric. thank you. Funny I cant remember playing this opening for over 10years. I Appreciate it. Great to have another trick up my sleeve.

[@rafaex913]

Excellent class!! I love the chess content. I would love to see more content like this in the future.

[@revivalofrock4164]

You should try playing the chess on coolmath games…

[@felixmeshach638]

Why?

[@tomho1942]

@@felixmeshach638 Because there are a lot of beginners there.

[@theblitzkriegboy]

App?

[@dot4149]

They're all so bad lol

[@loganparsons5179]

it was actually pretty fun

[@kingalonsoiv]

This Gem has been sitting here? For free??? Wow. Thanks a lot!!!

[@CMX431]

I just started using the ponziani and it helped me break my losing streak, thank you for sharing 👍

[@AnteSocial86]

Nice! I needed another e4 opening to learn. Been using the Bishop's opening and usually going into the Italian game with relative success, but I'm kind of a one trick pony as a result. More strings to my bow are needed.

[@AnteSocial86]

@@ouro4279 perhaps in another language, but the English expression to add more strings for your bow is in the case of an archer's bow-string breaking, they have a back up.

[@kristen1684]

Wtf

[@AnteSocial86]

@@ouro4279 ??? English - the language. What on earth do English bows and how much the string was pulled have to do with anything?

[@AnteSocial86]

@@ouro4279 I've never heard of longbow strings breaking more frequently than other bow-strings. I do believe you're reading a lot more into what is simply a turn of phrase than is necessary.

[@G1stGBless]

More ‘arrows for your quiver’ seems to hold together as a metaphor.

[@abhishekgeorge8626]

I learnt more chess in this 1 opening than every Gotham video combined

[@abhishekgeorge8626]

I think it would be a false statement.spent less time learnt more than frm Gotham

[@imjonathan6745]

Gotham is for entertainment purposes only not for serious chess teaching/tutoring

[@ArjanKop]

I went from 70% to 100% wins as white since I started to grasp the theory behind the Ponziani. I’d really recommend this opening to anyone up to at least 1000 ELO.

[@TheBlackDutchman-eo5cx]

Just tried this opening, super solid ^^

[@radioactivehead0001]

5:29 that's cool . Yeeeeah

[@SwagnusCarlton]

Lmao

[@jchen1023]

Great ideas, I’ll forget everything as soon as I start a game

[@JMC_90]

These are excellent, do you plan on doing more of these? I just finished the stafford one, I had my board up as you guys went through it and done the same with this video.

[@bohanwithb1546]

YES I LOVE THIS OPENING

[@afgnshha]

Love the video format. Great teacher bouta play this haha

[@JB_46]

watched it three times now thanks a lot Eric

[@gustacchorn7670]

Great Lesson. Thanks Eric

[@nzy162]

I loved this, thank you!

[@bethm2131]

Thank you. This was awesome 👌

[@LadyViolet1]

19:56 The only move I'm worried about here is Qb6 from black (I was going through this with an engine), it's still supposed to be crushing for white, but the follow ups (that the engine suggests at least) seem less intuitive for me to play as a new player.

[@samuelhagen7462]

i want you as chess teacher, there is no better one!

[@Vikram-zp1un]

hahahaha Nemo says "Dont play it " Proceeds to fall for the Ponziani

[@jspinelli5305]

You’re the best opening teacher ever

[@Zazasama]

My favorite opening

[@coloradodafronteira]

My favourite opening with white thanks to Eric, not many people know exactly how to defend against it (until now). Oh no my opening.

[@stanislavhadzhiev187]

Incredible video. I'll play the Ponziani from now on. I wasn't familiar with it before that, but great lecture from Eric.

[@niccolodicelmo9757]

This lesson is amazing Eric

[@PixelDaddie]

Man's has such a relaxing voice

[@donovancaldwell3872]

I'm confused. At 11:56, the white pond moves to the empty d6 square, but the pond behind it disappears. And what's stopping their bishop from taking the pond?? Confused. :(

[@seyitgoktas8241]

Yeah same i think this move is not legal in chess

[@donovancaldwell3872]

@@seyitgoktas8241 Oh, it is legal. It's called enpasante which in french means in passing. It is legal. I'm still learning more about chess of which we probably all are. :)

[@seyitgoktas8241]

@@donovancaldwell3872 thanks m8 But this is not in every online chess game So this means that many of these chess games dont have the right rules

[@tehW1ckerMan]

Excellent lesson Eric, good stuff

[@TheKawww]

Thanks Eric!

[@Oliver-2103]

What an awesome guy u are, really great video for literally no money

[@astronemir]

Ok I went from losing to stockfish 4 to beating 5 on lichess with this. Thanks Eric

[@Azeem_Idrisi]

After watching this video today I played Ponziani and got the Pawn d6 (Blunder) variation and Won the match 🥳🥳🥳🥳. Thank you so much Eric Sir.

[@wasanthakumari8907]

Thank You your video It is very helpful for new chess players

[@micahclawrence]

Terrific

[@tonysu8860]

The real reason why everyone who plays 1.e4 must learn the ideas in the Ponziani... The ideas Eric shows underlie the positions in a great many double KP opening positions which are merely the Ponziani decorated with additional piece placements. The "traps" Eric shows are underlying latent ideas in similar positions to be aware of even if they don't work like the Ponziani proper. And, from the Black side... If you play a double KP opening, it's a way for White to play simply without memorizing vast amounts of Ruy and Giucco theory, so it's not as though White wouldn't play the Ponziani against you... But, you should also be happy to see that White is not choosing to pose the most difficult and complex problems to you by choosing to play the Ponziani. Avoid the tactical traps and you should gain equality with natural play.

[@castrimcastrim3672]

black f6 -> queen h5 black g6 white knight g6 and then you forked the bishop and the rook and if he retakes you can take the rook with the queen?

[@EarlSmith2469]

@19:01 is white playing C7 wrong here with a discover check and also attacking the opponents queen? 👑

[@swift8821]

These are your best videos.

[@walternathaniel7365]

I've started playing this position 5 months ago.. It's the best

[@walternathaniel7365]

I love Stratford gambit more

[@Yashisbetter]

I ligit watched a stream u mane with Nicolas with ak and searched how to play ponziani and now I just gave u another view twice

[@kr8771]

oh no, my favourit opening exposed! thanks for the new lines I learned tho :D

[@fintan9218]

This is great instruction

[@princeantisocial]

I’m definitely playing this because I play the delayed alapin

[@MrStuckwithyou]

Cover the volcic counter gambit in the ponziani

[@mikegaravani7309]

slowly saves to favorites

[@sudhasrivastava1288]

Today I have a chance to play with a grand master and I am eager to try this opening

[@dedeadam9698]

How did it turn out? Can I have a link to the game please?

[@ldgaming4213]

Yes link to game

[@SHWAT2]

What if the blacks f pawn plays f6? How do you move the queen and checkmate then!?

[@aotakemi]

Thank you, my rating is 1082 and after saw this tutorial, my accuracy turned to 92,6. It's really help me and will be my main strategy.

[@aotakemi]

The acurracy turned 92,6 because the opponen got into the trap and resign the game

[@makanaonYT]

@@aotakemi you really had to say that😂

[@hareldavidson738]

Eric said the ponziani is great for beginners but even engines think it’s very sound, especially since it’s so rare it’s very good for much higher levels than that.

[@otalaedwin]

Hi i'm a new player at around 900 right now (I was 700 before watching that video so this single handedly got me +200 in just a couple weeks) BUT I find myself struggling when people at this level often never move their D7 pawn and I'm too trash to figure out a way to take advantage of it

[@StoutProper]

12:30 black takes d pawn with Bishop and then castles after white knight takes knight, threatening to pin the Queen if you move the knight

[@Asdayasman]

Yooo Eric is a PogChamps coach this time round? Hell yeah. Eric my dude if you could somehow get to coach Kureiji Ollie sometime I would literally die from happiness. Figuratively.