Caissa Codex
C25

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense

Chess diagram: Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense after 5…b6

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Statistics from Lichess

1,626 games: White 40.8% / Draw 3.9% / Black 55.4%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
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4343
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.44 Black is slightly better

Best play: 6. Qd3 Bb7 7. Nf3 Qh6 8. d5 Nb4 9. Qd4 O-O-O 10. Kd1 Nf6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense (ECO C25, Open Games) is a gambit in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 b6 (5 moves).

In 1,626 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 40.8%, Black 55.4% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nf3, in 45% of those games.

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How to play against the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense

6. Qd2 scores best for White: 57.1%, with White winning 54.7% and Black 40.4% of 161 games. The most played answer, 6. Nf3, scores lowest: 35.3% in 726 games. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Qd3.

Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5…b6, the position after Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Main Line also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense (C25)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/vienna-gambit-with-max-lange-defense-steinitz-gambit-fraser-minckwitz-defense

https://chesscodex.org/openings/vienna-gambit-with-max-lange-defense-steinitz-gambit-fraser-minckwitz-defense