ECO C25 · Vienna Game

Vienna Game: Philidor Countergambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d4 f5

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

4. dxe5+1.37

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Game: Philidor Countergambit (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. dxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.37).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.374. dxe5 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nxe5 6. Nf3 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 d5 8. Ng5
  2. +1.334. exf5 Bb4 5. Qh5+ Kf8 6. dxe5 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nxe5 8. Ba3+ d6
  3. +1.264. d5 Nce7 5. d6 Nc6 6. exf5 Nf6 7. g4 h6 8. dxc7 Qxc7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Game: Philidor Countergambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. dxe5 for White, continuing fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nxe5 6. Nf3 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 d5 8. Ng5. White is clearly better (+1.37). The next best moves are 4. exf5 (+1.33) and 4. d5 (+1.26).
Is the Vienna Game: Philidor Countergambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.37: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Vienna Game: Philidor Countergambit?
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+).