Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack
The Jaenisch Counterattack is 3...Nf6 against the Ponziani, hitting e4 at once because c3 took the knight's natural square. White must decide between the central push d4 and slower moves like Qa4 or d3, while Black aims for quick development and a free ...d5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6
- ECO
- C44
- Engine
- −0.10 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 8,305 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 4.d4, the top engine move, and answer ...Nxe4 with Bd3 to chase the knight.
- The queen sortie Qa4 pins the c6 knight and makes ...Nxe4 riskier, then Be2 and castling follow.
- A quiet d3 and Nbd2 keeps the position closed, though it gives Black easy equality.
- If allowed, the d5 push gains time against the c6 knight and grabs space.
Black
- Take on e4 when White plays d4, then hit back with ...d5 and develop the bishop to d6.
- Against Qa4, play ...Bd6 and castle; the e5 pawn is well defended.
- Against d3, the reply ...d5 gives Black a free center and a fine game.
- Keep the knight on c6 active; jumps to d4 or e5 can exploit White's c3 weakening.
Plans and pawn structure
The c3 pawn means White's queen's knight cannot go to c3, so e4 is short of defenders. After 4.d4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nxe5 Bd6, the center opens and both sides race to castle; the structure ends up as d4 against d5 with an open e-file. If White plays slower with Qa4 or d3, Black takes d5 and stands at least equal. Rooks to the e-file and quick development matter more than long plans.
Where the engine's main line heads: Symmetrical center: d4 against d5, open e-file. A symmetrical center: d4 against d5 with an open e-file. Neither side has pawn weaknesses, so piece activity decides.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.10: level. Its three top choices for White:
- −0.10 4.d4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nxe5 Bd6
- −0.19 4.Qa4 Bd6 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O Re8
- −0.37 4.d3 d5 5.Nbd2 h6 6.Be2 Bd6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
8,305 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Neumann Gambit4.Bc4 · 1,699 games
- Vukovic Gambit4.d4 · rare
How to play against it
As White, choose 4.d4 and play actively; slower lines hand Black the center. After ...Nxe4 use Bd3 and castle quickly. Avoid 4.d3 if you want winning chances, because ...d5 gives Black a comfortable open game. As Black, take on e4 when offered and follow with ...d5 and ...Bd6 to finish development.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d3; 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d3 d5; 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d3 d5 5.Nbd2.
Questions
What are the moves of the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack?
The Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6. Its ECO code is C44.
Is the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.10 at depth 20, which is level. In 8,305 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.2%. A healthy, active answer for Black that suits players who like open piece play, while White needs to know the d4 lines to avoid drifting.
What is the main idea of the Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack?
Black hits e4 at once, taking advantage of White's c3, which removed the knight's best square. White usually strikes with d4, and play opens up with d4 against d5 and a race to castle.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is d4, with Qa4 and d3 close behind. 4.d4 opens the center at once, and after ...Nxe4 the bishop on d3 harasses the knight.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.