All You Need To Know About The Vienna Game

Vienna, the capital of Austria, was an important chess center in the latter decades of the 19th century. The Vienna Game received its name thanks to several strong Vienna-based players who worked on the development of the opening - among them, Wilhelm Steinitz, Rudolf Spielmann and Savielly Tartakower.

Steinitz was the first official world chess champion and originally hailed from Vienna, before moving to the United States later in life. Steinitz was also one of the Vienna Game’s most ardent advocates.

It all begins with: 1. e4 e5, 2. Nc3.

The starting position of the Vienna Game.

Compared to the more common 2. Nf3, this is a quieter second move from White. Rather than attacking the Black pawn on e5, 2. Nc3 does not attack anything, nor does it immediately put pressure on Black’s position. Still, 2. Nc3 is a perfectly logical developing move, and may still conceal aggressive intentions - as we shall see.

Black usually replies with 2. …Nf6, creating tension in the center. At this point, White faces a fundamental choice about which direction to take the game.

If White plays 3. Nf3, then the game will likely transpose into an opening where White had played Nf3 a move earlier. These variations have little independent value, so let’s investigate the other main third moves for White within the Vienna Game.

The “Stanley Variation” with 3. Bc4

Developing the light-squared bishop to this active diagonal puts pressure on Black’s weak f7 pawn, and prepares kingside castling. Black is also prevented from playing d5 immediately. The middlegame tends to revolve around White trying to play d4 and Black trying to play d5. All these ideas are rather similar to the “Bishops Opening”, where White plays 2. Bc4.

The “Mieses Variation” with 3. g3

Another way for White to develop the light-squared bishop is via this fianchetto setup - with Bg2 to come next. This will lead to a quieter, more positional game.

The “Vienna Gambit” with 3. f4

Thrusting ahead with the f-pawn was the original idea of the Vienna Game when it was first pioneered over 100 years ago.

Because White has not played Nf3, the f-pawn’s path is not blocked. White hopes to achieve an improved version of the King’s Gambit (1. e4 e5, 2. f4), an opening rarely seen at the top level nowadays, but which was one of the most popular options back in the 19th century. By playing Nc3 first before f4, White is a bit more developed before offering the gambit, and therefore a bit better placed to strike in the event of Black accepting the gambit with 3. …exf4.

Related: Studies In The Vienna Game.

All of these third moves from White lead to very different game styles. For the rest of this article we will concentrate our attention on the Vienna Gambit (with 3. f4), as this is the most dynamic variation, as well as being the most unique compared to other Vienna Game setups.

Why Play The Vienna Gambit?

For some players, chess is a serious endeavor. They would never dream of playing any opening which doesn’t receive the computer engine’s seal of approval.

But for others, chess is a pleasurable pastime. They don’t mind playing moves which are “objectively” not the best, so long as it leads to a game which is fun and interesting. For players like these, the Vienna Gambit fits the bill!

Your opponent with the Black pieces is unlikely to be as thoroughly prepared for the Vienna Gambit as they will be for other openings. The Symmetrical King’s Pawn player will have spent their time preparing themselves to face the most common opening systems - such as the Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, and Scotch Game - where a strong club player may very well have memorized the theory 10 moves deep, 15 moves deep, or even more.

The Vienna Gambit takes players like these out of their comfort zone. In this opening, both players must rely on their wits, rather than rote memorization.

By playing the Vienna Gambit, you are bound to get a double-edged game, where it is necessary to walk a narrow tightrope, with both kings in peril. Tactics will most likely decide the game, rather than slow positional maneuvering. This is not to everyone’s taste - but if that sounds like the way you prefer to play chess, then the Vienna Gambit could be a perfect match for you.

Vienna Game: Thematic Tactics and Ideas

As is the case with all openings, the games beginning with the Vienna Gambit have certain tactical motifs and ideas which frequently appear. By familiarizing yourself with them, you will be better-equipped to notice them, should they appear in your games.

If you play the Vienna Gambit for long enough, you are sure to come across one or more of these patterns!

Black Accepts The Gambit: e5

First of all - what if Black grabs the offered pawn with exf4?

In the King’s Gambit, this is a perfectly valid response for Black - but in the Vienna Gambit, it is an immediate inaccuracy.

White can push ahead with e5, whereupon we get to see the benefit of White playing Nc3. The point is that Black’s knight on f6 is short on squares. Nd5 and Ne4 are both impossible due to the White knight on c3, while g4 and h5 are covered by the White queen. Black’s best move is actually to retreat the knight back to g8 - which is a move that no Black player will enjoy making!

Black Declines The Gambit: Fork On e5

When offered a gambit, the first inclination of many players is to decline it. Black may look to defend their pawn on e5, with Bd6.

It looks logical enough, but this is a blunder. White should capture with fxe5, and after Black recaptures Bxe5, White can push ahead with d4! The bishop must retreat back to the only available square d6, after which White can play e5, forking the bishop and knight.

Sacrifice On g6

With the semi-open f-file and a lead in development, White can create threats on the h5-e8 diagonal if Black is slow to castle. Bh5+ is a strong check in positions such as that shown below.

If Black moves their king, then they lose castling rights - while if they block the check with g6, then it is fully justified to sacrifice the bishop with Bxg6+. After both players recapture, White has two pawns for the piece, and a raging attack.

Getting Started With The Vienna Gambit

In order to successfully play the Vienna Gambit, you should continue your education, beyond this article. A good place to go next is this short YouTube video which explains even more ideas for both White and Black. Those who have a premium chess.com account can also watch this 25 minute video, which explains the wider Vienna Game, including the quieter variations.

Next, you should try the Vienna Gambit in online blitz games. Getting this practical experience will help solidify your understanding of the opening. Due to the fast time controls, you can play many games very quickly - meaning that before long, you will have several of your own games to study. You will start to see what Black most commonly does in reply to the Vienna Gambit. You can also discover a few more tactical patterns to be on the lookout for.

If you like what you see, you will want to learn the Vienna Gambit Gambit in greater depth. Check out this 100 minute video course by IM Andrew Martin, available for instant download from the USCF store.

This comprehensive video course will have you playing the Vienna Game like a titled player!

Summary: Is The Vienna Gambit Right For You?

The Vienna Gambit can be a fiery surprise weapon within your White opening repertoire if you:

Can thrive in unfamiliar territory. The Vienna Gambit is less explored than heavily-studied opening alternatives. You won’t be able to rely on memorization so much - but neither will your opponent! Instead, both of you will be “playing chess” from very early in the game.
Like to have the pressure and initiative - even at the cost of material. The positions arising from the Vienna Gambit are often objectively fine (or even better) for Black according to the computer, but tend to be unpleasant for humans to play. You should be less concerned about what the computer’s evaluation is, and instead be content to play moves which pose your opponent practical problems to solve.
Have an aggressive style. By playing the Vienna Gambit, you are playing in the same spirit as the masters who developed the opening during the romantic era of chess from the late 19th century. You will get positions which are wildly different from one game to the next - and win or lose, it’s bound to be exciting!

Is that the kind of chess player you are?

If so, then give the Vienna Gambit a shot today!