ECO C25 · Vienna Game

Vienna Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3

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

2… Nc6+0.13

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

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Game (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.13).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.132… Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6
  2. +0.212… Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6
  3. +0.262… Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. Na4 Nf6 5. Nxc5 dxc5 6. Nxe5 Qd4 7. Bb5+

All Vienna Game variations (39)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Game?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nc6 for Black, continuing 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6. The position is roughly equal (+0.13). The next best moves are 2… Nf6 (+0.21) and 2… Bc5 (+0.26).
Is the Vienna Game a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.13: 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 Game?
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+).