Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense
Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.
Statistics from Lichess
1,077 games: White 49.7% / Draw 3.1% / Black 47.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 860860 | ||
| 206206 | ||
| 44 | ||
| 33 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 23, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.28 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. Nf3 Qh5 7. Nd5 Kd8 8. Kf2 Nce7 9. Be2 Qg6 10. Nxe7 Bxe7
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, Sörensen 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 g5 (5 moves).
In 1,077 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.7%, Black 47.3% and 3.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nf3, in 80% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
Write a description or report a mistake
How to play against the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense
6. Nd5 scores best for White: 55.6%, with White winning 53.4% and Black 42.2% of 206 games. The most played answer, 6. Nf3, scores lowest: 50.1% in 860 games. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Nf3.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense (C25)”. Lichess data as of 23 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/vienna-gambit-with-max-lange-defense-steinitz-gambit-sorensen-defense