ChessThe Vienna Game is 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3. On move two White doesn't play the knight to f3. The c3 knight comes out first instead, guarding e4 and keeping the f-pawn's path clear. Later White can push f4 to attack or develop the bishop and play calmly. It's very flexible, and when you play chess online it's a nice way to surprise your opponent.
Moves and position
Just two moves. The key is which knight comes out on move two:
1. e4 e5the two pawns meet head to head in the center.2. Nc3White brings out the queenside knight, guarding e4 and watching d5.
Why not Nf3 first? Because a knight on f3 blocks the f-pawn. The Vienna wants to keep f4 available to open the f-file like the King's Gambit, but with one more piece out first, so it's less risky.
What White wants
- Prepare f4: when the time is right, push f4 to open the f-file and attack Black's kingside.
- Aim the bishop at f7:
3. Bc4eyes f7 just like the Italian Game. - Set up slowly:
3. g3puts the bishop on the long diagonal for a solid approach.
What Black wants
2... Nf6: bring out the knight to attack e4 and prepare d5 to fight for the center. This is the main reply.2... Nc6: bring out the knight to defend e5. The game will be calmer.- Black needs to be extra careful about f7: White's bishop and queen can both aim there very quickly.
Main lines
Vienna Gambit: 3. f4
White hits e5 with f4, and Black's best answer is 3... d5, opening the center. After White's pawn takes on e5, Black's knight lands on e4, and the position is sharp. This line is like a safer King's Gambit, and attacking players love it.
Bishop to c4: 3. Bc4
White's bishop goes to c4 to aim at f7, and Black brings the bishop out to c5 too. Both sides prop up the center with pawns, then develop and castle. This line is solid and easy for beginners to pick up.
The solid setup: 2... Nc6 3. g3
White pushes g3 and puts the bishop on g2. This setup isn't in a hurry to fight. It slowly tightens control of the center, and it suits players who like a steady, careful game.
A common trap: the knight retreats to the wrong square
In the 3. Bc4 line, Black can take the e4 pawn with the knight. That's actually fine, but White brings the queen out right away:
Here Black can easily make a mistake: retreating the knight to f6 to attack the white queen. It looks like it does two jobs at once, but the white queen doesn't need to run at all:
Show answer
5. Qxf7# The queen takes f7. The bishop on c4 protects the queen, so the black king can't take it, and every square around the king is either covered by the queen or blocked by Black's own pieces.
The right move for Black is 4... Nd6: the knight goes back to d6, attacking the bishop on c4 and guarding f7.
The game stays very sharp for both sides after this, but at least Black doesn't get mated in the opening. Remember this: when your opponent's queen and bishop both stare at f7, defend f7 first, then think about hitting back.
Who it suits
- Players who want flexibility: the same opening can be sharp (f4) or calm (g3, Bc4).
- Players who like the King's Gambit but find it too risky: the Vienna Gambit brings out a knight before pushing f4, so the risk is much lower.
- Players who want to surprise their opponent: Nc3 is less common than Nf3, so your opponent may not be ready for it.
Like the King's Gambit, it wants to open the f-file with f4. The difference is that the King's Gambit pushes f4 on move two, while the Vienna plays Nc3 first and pushes f4 when the time is right.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Vienna Game related to the Four Knights?
If both sides later bring out their other knight, for example 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6, the game turns into the Four Knights. Lots of openings can transpose into each other like this.
Isn't 4. Qh5 bringing the queen out too early?
This is an exception. Black's knight has just taken e4, so f7 is guarded only by the king. The queen comes out with a real attacking purpose, and one careless move by Black means checkmate. In general, though, you still shouldn't bring your queen out too early.
As Black, what's the safest reply to the Vienna Game?
2... Nf6 is the main move. If White pushes f4, hit back in the center with 3... d5. If White develops the bishop to c4, you can play 3... Bc5 or 3... Nc6 and develop calmly.
Try it yourself
Use the button below to start a game against the computer from the Vienna Game position. Try bringing out Nc3 first, then waiting for the right moment to push f4. To see other openings, go back to the openings guide. To review weaknesses around the king, read good habits for beginners. And you can always come back and play chess online free.
Play this opening against the computer