ECO C25 · Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Knight Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3

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

4… g5−0.37

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Knight Variation (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… g5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.37).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.374… g5 5. g3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Nxg5 Bg4 8. Be2 Bxe2 9. Qxe2
  2. −0.234… Nf6 5. Bc4 Na5 6. b3 d5 7. Nxd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nxc4 9. bxc4
  3. −0.074… Bc5 5. d3 d5 6. Bxf4 d4 7. Nd5 Bd6 8. Qd2 Be6 9. Bxd6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Knight Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… g5 for Black, continuing 5. g3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Nxg5 Bg4 8. Be2 Bxe2 9. Qxe2. Black is slightly better (−0.37). The next best moves are 4… Nf6 (−0.23) and 4… Bc5 (−0.07).
Is the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Knight Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.37: black is slightly 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: Knight 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+).