ECO C25 · Vienna Game

Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3

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

3… a5−0.08

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

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… a5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.08).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.083… a5 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nd5 Nf6 7. O-O Ba7 8. d3
  2. −0.073… Bc5 4. Na4 Be7 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. Nc3 a5 7. d3 O-O 8. Nge2
  3. −0.063… Nf6 4. Bg2 Bc5 5. d3 a5 6. Nd5 h6 7. Ne2 O-O 8. O-O

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bc5 5. Nge2 d5

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… a5 for Black, continuing 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nd5 Nf6 7. O-O Ba7 8. d3. The position is roughly equal (−0.08). The next best moves are 3… Bc5 (−0.07) and 3… Nf6 (−0.06).
Is the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.08: 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: Paulsen Variation?
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+).