Other plausible moves are 2.Bb4 and 2.Bc5 both of which attempt to initiate a counter-attack.įor explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation. This allows Black to capture the pawn when it gets to f4, without having his active knight subsequently kicked by the e-pawn. The most common reply as it prepares to counter f4 with d5, adding to the equation another variable for White to keep track of. If you play 1.e4 theres a very good chance the opponent responds with 1.e5. The harder White tries to checkmate you, the less time he has to develop naturally and control territory consequently, if you survive the opening your hand is a little freer than in the Ruy Lopez.īlack for the moment has no threat to respond to, save the threat of f4 which cannot be reasonably prevented. Viewed the above way, the Vienna is a great opening because its easy to get.

If you should find yourself up against the Vienna as Black, keep your nerve. Now it is possible to play f4 on the second move, for the King's Gambit, but when no Black piece has yet declared its intentions is there not a degree of hit-and-hope about such a move? If you have the patience to let Black build his bridge before you blow it up: welcome to the Vienna Game, a poison-tipped opening from the nineteenth century. Postal Address Austria: Central European University Private University Quellenstrae 51 A-1100 Wien, Austria Vienna Commercial Court FN 502313 x Postal Address Hungary: Kzp-eurpai Egyetem Ndor u. White develops his c3 knight first, keep options of playing either f4 and. White's wish is to advance the f-pawn two squares to remove Black's powerful e5 pawn and strike at the heart of his position. The Vienna Game is an opening played by white that starts with 1.

Rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR b The Vienna Game is one of the most fundamentally sound openings in chess and gives an e4 player many different variations when black responds with e5.

Vienna opening