ECO C25 · Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold Variation

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 g5 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5 h6 7. Nxf7 Kxf7 8. d4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8… f3−0.93

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold Variation (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 g5 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5 h6 7. Nxf7 Kxf7 8. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… f3 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.93).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.938… f3 9. Bc4+ d5 10. Bxd5+ Ke8 11. gxf3 Nf6 12. Be3 Nxd5 13. exd5
  2. −0.888… d6 9. Bxf4 Rh7 10. Bc4+ Kg7 11. Qd2 Kh8 12. O-O-O Bg7 13. Be3
  3. −0.618… Nf6 9. Bxf4 d5 10. Nxd5 Be6 11. Bc4 Bxd5 12. exd5 Qe7+ 13. Be2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 g5 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5 h6 7. Nxf7 Kxf7 8. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… f3 for Black, continuing 9. Bc4+ d5 10. Bxd5+ Ke8 11. gxf3 Nf6 12. Be3 Nxd5 13. exd5. Black is clearly better (−0.93). The next best moves are 8… d6 (−0.88) and 8… Nf6 (−0.61).
Is the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.93: black is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold Variation?
C25. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).