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Vienna Game




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Opening name: Vienna Game
Opening line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bc5
Lichess Board
Wikibooks Page


Winning percentages

White: 94 (32.87%)
Black: 85 (29.72%)
Draws: 107 (37.41%)

2...Bc5

This move allows White to immediately go after the bishop with 3. Na4?!, but that allows Black to take advantage of the undefended a4-knight using the Hamppe-Meitner sacrifice 3...Bxf2+!, named after the Immortal Draw (Hamppe-Meitner, Vienna 1872) Kxf2 Qh4+. It is premature to derail the knight on the rim like this when doesn't have any other piece out.

The game continued: Kxf2 Qh4+ Ke3 Qf4+ Kd3 d5 Kc3 Qxe4 Kb3 Na6 a3 Qxa4+!! Kxa4 Nc5+ Kb4 a5+! Kxc5 Ne7 Bb5+ Kd8 Bc6 b6+ Kb5 Nxc6 Kxc6 Bb7+ Kb5 Ba6+ Kc6 Bb7+. 1/2-1/2[1].

The simple 3. Nf3 gives White a slight advantage, though.[2]


Most popular responses

  • 3. Na4 (Unnamed) This move attacks the bishop, but it allows a dangerous sacrifice. It is not generally recommended, as it derails the knight. Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (40637 games)


    Engine Evaluation

    Depth: 37
    Score: +0.3
    Best Move: Nf3
    PV Line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 O-O 7. Nb3 Bb4

    Historical games for Vienna Game

    GameResultYear
    Safarli, E. (2649) vs Korobov, A. (2680)1/2-1/22014
    Lu Shanglei (2546) vs Sokolov, Ivan (2650)1-02014
    Tal, Mihail (2705) vs Knezevic, Milorad (2490)1/2-1/21980
    Edouard, R. (2641) vs Van Foreest, Lucas (2531)1/2-1/22019
    Hauge, Lars Oskar (2530) vs Kuzubov, Y. (2639)0-12022
    Stupak, K. (2570) vs Bortnyk, Olexandr (2585)1/2-1/22017
    Benko, Pal C (2515) vs Larsen, Bent (2625)1/2-1/21972
    Kuijf, Marinus (2470) vs Sokolov, Ivan (2665)0-11996
    Thorhallsson, Throstur (2470) vs Sokolov, Ivan (2650)0-11994
    Banikas, Hristos (2572) vs Nikolaidis, Ioannis (2529)1/2-1/22008
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