ECO C25 · Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… Qh4+−0.34

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Qh4+ for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.34).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.344… Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Bxf4 O-O-O 8. Ke3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3
  2. −0.244… Bb4 5. Bxf4 Nf6 6. Bg5 d5 7. e5 h6 8. exf6 hxg5 9. fxg7
  3. +0.204… d5 5. Bxf4 Bb4 6. e5 Nge7 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Qh4+ for Black, continuing 5. Ke2 d6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Bxf4 O-O-O 8. Ke3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3. Black is slightly better (−0.34). The next best moves are 4… Bb4 (−0.24) and 4… d5 (+0.20).
Is the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.34: 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: Steinitz Gambit?
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+).