ECO C25 · Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 b6

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

6. Qd2−0.27

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Qd2 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.27).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.276. Qd2 Bb4 7. Kd1 Nf6 8. Nf3 Qh5 9. Qxf4 Bxc3 10. bxc3 d5
  2. −0.516. Qd3 Bb7 7. Nf3 Qh6 8. d5 Nb4 9. Qd4 O-O-O 10. Kd1 Nf6
  3. −0.756. Nb5 Ba6 7. a4 O-O-O 8. Nf3 Qg4 9. Qd3 Nf6 10. e5 Nd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Qd2 for White, continuing Bb4 7. Kd1 Nf6 8. Nf3 Qh5 9. Qxf4 Bxc3 10. bxc3 d5. The position is roughly equal (−0.27). The next best moves are 6. Qd3 (−0.51) and 6. Nb5 (−0.75).
Is the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.27: the position is roughly equal. 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, Fraser-Minckwitz Defense?
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+).