ECO C26 · Vienna Game

Vienna Game: Stanley Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4

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

3… Nc6−0.02

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

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Game: Stanley Variation (C26), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.02).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.023… Nc6 4. d3 Na5 5. Bb3 Nxb3 6. axb3 d5 7. Nf3 d4 8. Ne2
  2. 0.003… Bc5 4. Nf3 d6 5. O-O Nc6 6. h3 O-O 7. a4 Be6 8. d3
  3. +0.083… Bb4 4. Nge2 O-O 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Nxe4 d5 7. c3 Be7 8. Bd3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Game: Stanley Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black, continuing 4. d3 Na5 5. Bb3 Nxb3 6. axb3 d5 7. Nf3 d4 8. Ne2. The position is roughly equal (−0.02). The next best moves are 3… Bc5 (0.00) and 3… Bb4 (+0.08).
Is the Vienna Game: Stanley Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.02: 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: Stanley Variation?
C26. 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+).