Vienna Game

The Vienna Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3) is a flexible open game. Instead of the usual 2.Nf3, White develops the queen's knight first. That keeps the f-pawn free to advance with f4, as in a delayed King's Gambit.

Origins

It became popular in the 19th century: in 1888 a New York Times reviewer wrote that since Morphy only one new opening had been introduced, the Vienna. Wilhelm Steinitz favoured his Steinitz Gambit (2...Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4.d4), in which White's king walks into the open, in line with his belief that "the King is a fighting piece". Later Vasily Smyslov played the quiet Mieses Variation (2...Nf6 3.g3) on a few occasions. On Lichess it appears in about as many games under 1400 as between 1400 and 1800, far more than among experts.

The idea

2.Nc3 protects e4 and controls d5, and White can choose one of two plans:

• The aggressive plan: f4, the Vienna Gambit, opening the f-file and attacking the kingside.
• The positional plan: g3 and Bg2 (Paulsen Variation) or Bc4 and d3, the quieter approach common in modern play.

Black's main answers are 2...Nf6, counterattacking e4, and 2...Nc6, keeping a solid, symmetrical position.

Main lines

• Falkbeer Variation 2...Nf6, followed by:
  • the Vienna Gambit 3.f4, where the main line 3...d5 is Black's usual answer;
  • the Stanley Variation 3.Bc4, which after 3...Nxe4 4.Qh5 can lead to the wild Frankenstein-Dracula Variation, a name coined by the Irish correspondence player Tim Harding.
• Max Lange Defense 2...Nc6: a solid reply. White can continue with Bc4, g3 or f4.
• Anderssen Defense 2...Bc5: an active development of the bishop.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Flexible: White can choose sharp gambit play or a quiet positional game.
• Less theory than the Ruy Lopez or the Open Sicilian, and many opponents are less prepared for it.
• Plenty of traps and tactical chances, especially in the f4 lines.

Weaknesses

• Black equalises comfortably with accurate play, especially with 2...Nf6 and 3...d5.
• The f4 lines weaken White's king, as in the King's Gambit.
• The quiet lines can become too slow to give White an advantage.

Who should play it

The Vienna suits players who want an active open game with less theory, and those who enjoy a surprise. It is effective against opponents who have prepared mainly for 2.Nf3, and against players who don't know the correct 3...d5 response to the Vienna Gambit. It is least effective against well-prepared opponents who play 2...Nf6 and 3...d5 and are happy with an equal, open position.

The numbers

On Lichess White wins 50–52% and Black 44–46% below 2200, and 50% against 43% above it. In master games over the board, White wins 30%, Black 26% and 44% are drawn.