Openings

ECO C25Open game

Vienna Game

Knight on c3, f-pawn at the ready

Classical

White develops the knight to c3 instead of f3. The f-pawn stays free, so f2-f4 can come at any moment, as in the King's Gambit. But White need not hurry: a bishop on c4 or a fianchetto with g3 gives a quiet game. The opening is liked for its flexibility: White picks the character of the game after seeing Black's reply.

Interactive Opening Board

5…Be7

♚

Black

♔

White

5…Be7

Speed:

Moves

(10 plies • 5 moves)

5…Be7Tabiya

The bishop develops and prepares castling. Next Black will start pressing on the e5 pawn.

1–5moves
#WhiteBlack
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1.e4 White takes the centre and opens lines for the f1 bishop and the queen.

1…e5 Black answers in kind and claims the centre too.

2.Nc3 The knight comes out to c3, not f3. It guards the e4 pawn and does not block the f-pawn. From here White can play f2-f4 in the spirit of the King's Gambit, or calmly develop the bishop to c4. This is where the Vienna begins.

2…Nf6 The f6 knight hits e4 and keeps White from building the centre in peace.

3.f4 The Vienna Gambit. White offers the f-pawn as in the King's Gambit, but the c3 knight already holds e4.

3…d5 Black does not take the pawn but hits the centre. After 3…exf4? White would answer 4.e5 and drive the knight back to g8.

4.fxe5 White takes on e5, and the pawn at once attacks the f6 knight. The f-file is open.

4…Nxe4 The knight takes the e4 pawn and stands in the centre. Material is level. Black threatens …Qh4+.

5.Nf3 The f3 knight protects the e5 pawn and takes h4 away from the queen. The check …Qh4+ is no longer possible.

5…Be7 The bishop develops and prepares castling. Next Black will start pressing on the e5 pawn.

Defining move

2.Nc3 — the knight does not go to f3

The move that sets the Vienna apart from other 1.e4 e5 openings

A knight on f3 would get in the f-pawn's way; a knight on c3 does not. It guards e4 and leaves White a choice: throw the pawn forward to f4, or play Bc4 and g3 without haste. Black cannot know in advance what kind of game this will be.

Tabiya

The Vienna Gambit: 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4

Material is level, but the position is open. White has a pawn on e5, the open f-file and extra space. Black has a knight in the centre on e4, the d5 pawn and free diagonals for both bishops. White wants to drive off or trade the e4 knight, develop and castle, often long. Black wants to attack the e5 pawn and strike in the centre with …c5 or …d4.

The centre

An open centre with a wedge on e5

Both original king's pawns are gone. White's e5 pawn stands as a wedge, and with no f-pawn the f-file is open. Black keeps the d5 pawn, which holds the centre.

Key squarese5e4f4

Outposts

e5White's wedge pawn
The e5 pawn takes squares away from Black's knights and bishops and keeps the f-file open. White must hold it firmly, or it falls under attack.
e4Black's knight
The knight on e4 stands in the centre and eyes c3 and g5. White wants to dislodge it; Black wants it to stay.

Thematic breaks

f4White
The f2-f4 thrust
Challenge the centre and open the f-file for the rook.
What follows: If Black takes the pawn, White answers e4-e5 and gains space. If Black replies with …d5, open play begins.
d5Black
The …d7-d5 counter-strike
Do not take the pawn; hit e4 and take the centre from White.
What follows: White takes on e5, Black takes e4 with the knight, and both sides get open lines.
c5Black
The …c7-c5 strike
Undermine White's centre and open lines for the pieces.
What follows: Together with …Nc6 and …Be6 it gives Black easy development and pressure on the e5 pawn.

White’s plan

Drive the e4 knight away or trade it, for example with Qe2 and d2-d3.
Support the e5 pawn and develop, often castling long.
Use the f-file and the space for an attack on the kingside.

Black’s plan

Attack the e5 pawn with pieces: …Nc6, …Be6 or …Bf5.
Develop both bishops and castle short.
Strike in the centre with …c5 or …d4 before White finishes development.

History

The Vienna came into fashion in the second half of the nineteenth century. The Vienna Gambit with f2-f4 was conceived as a delayed King's Gambit. Wilhelm Steinitz played it, and the line with g3 carries the name of Jacques Mieses. Among modern champions, Anand has turned to it.

Notable players

Wilhelm Steinitz Jacques Mieses Viswanathan Anand

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