ECO C25 · Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 g5

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

6. Nf3−0.50

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 g5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Nf3 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.50).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.506. Nf3 Qh5 7. g4 fxg3 8. Bg2 g4 9. Nd5 gxf3+ 10. Bxf3 Qg6
  2. −0.626. Nd5 Kd8 7. Nf3 Qh5 8. h4 Nce7 9. Ke1 Nxd5 10. Nxg5 Qxd1+
  3. −0.626. Nb5 Kd8 7. Nf3 Qh5 8. d5 g4 9. Nfd4 f3+ 10. Ke1 Ne5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 g5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Nf3 for White, continuing Qh5 7. g4 fxg3 8. Bg2 g4 9. Nd5 gxf3+ 10. Bxf3 Qg6. Black is slightly better (−0.50). The next best moves are 6. Nd5 (−0.62) and 6. Nb5 (−0.62).
Is the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.50: 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, Sörensen 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+).