The Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit is a variation of the Ponziani Opening, catalogued as ECO C44. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Ponziani Opening generally: ECO C44. A chess opening with 16 known variations.
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See all 4 Ponziani Opening variations →
The Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4. It is a variation of the Ponziani Opening and is catalogued as ECO C44.
The Spanish Variation, Harrwitz Attack, Nikitin Gambit is ECO C44. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ponziani Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5 dxe4 5. Nxe5 Qd5 6. Qa4 at -0.54 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.