Caissa Codex
C25

Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit

Chess diagram: Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit after 5…h4

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Statistics from Lichess

173 games: White 35.3% / Draw 5.2% / Black 59.5%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
118118
2121
1414
88
66
22
11
11

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.04 The position is about equal

Best play: 6. Nxh4 Rxh4 7. gxh4 Qxh4 8. d4 Bxd4 9. Qf3 Nb4 10. O-O d6

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

Overview

Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit (ECO C25, Open Games) is a gambit in the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 h5 5. Nf3 h4 (5 moves).

In 173 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 35.3%, Black 59.5% and 5.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nxh4, in 68% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 3…Bc5 4. Bg2 h5 5. Nf3 h4, the position after Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit (C25)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/vienna-game-paulsen-variation-mariotti-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/vienna-game-paulsen-variation-mariotti-gambit