ECO C25 · Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

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

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d5

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

6. exd5−0.27

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

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Zukertort Defense (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. exd5 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.27).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.276. exd5 Bg4+ 7. Nf3 Nce7 8. Bxf4 O-O-O 9. Kd2 Qf6 10. Be3 Nxd5
  2. −0.646. Nf3 Qe7 7. Bxf4 dxe4 8. Nd5 exf3+ 9. Kf2 Qe4 10. Nxc7+ Kd8
  3. −1.736. Nxd5 Bg4+ 7. Nf3 O-O-O 8. Bxf4 f5 9. Ke3 Qh5 10. h3 fxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Zukertort Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. exd5 for White, continuing Bg4+ 7. Nf3 Nce7 8. Bxf4 O-O-O 9. Kd2 Qf6 10. Be3 Nxd5. The position is roughly equal (−0.27). The next best moves are 6. Nf3 (−0.64) and 6. Nxd5 (−1.73).
Is the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Zukertort 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, Zukertort 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+).