Vienna Game (for White)

The Vienna Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3) develops the queen's knight first to keep the option of pushing the f-pawn. White looks for a more direct game than in the Italian, with an attack on the kingside.

The principle

The c3 knight controls d5 and protects the e4 pawn: the f4 push becomes possible without losing that pawn. White then opens the f-file for the rook.

The main line: the Vienna Gambit

2...Nf6 3.f4 d5. Black strikes in the center: this is the best answer to the gambit. After 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.d4 O-O 7.Bd3 f5 8.exf6 Bxf6 9.O-O, both sides have developed and the f-file is open: White keeps active play against the black king.

Main variations

• Stanley Variation: 2...Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bb4 5.Nge2 d5 6.exd5 Nxd5. A calmer game, where the c4 bishop eyes f7.
• Mieses Variation: 2...Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bd6 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O. The fianchettoed bishop weighs on the long diagonal.

Typical mistakes

With White, pushing the f-pawn before preparing development exposes the king on the diagonal leading to g1. With Black, staying passive instead of reacting in the center with the d-pawn gives White an easy attack.

Coach's advice

The Vienna is ideal if you like to attack: remember the gambit and Black's central answer. Click the colored moves to follow each line, then ask me your questions.

Main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.d4 O-O 7.Bd3 f5 8.exf6 Bxf6 9.O-O