ECO C29 · Vienna Game

Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Modern Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. d3

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

5… Nxc3−0.40

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Modern Variation (C29), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Nxc3 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.405… Nxc3 6. bxc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 d4 8. Be2 Bc5 9. Bg5 f6 10. exf6
  2. 0.005… Qh4+ 6. g3 Nxg3 7. Nf3 Qh5 8. Nxd5 Nxh1 9. Nxc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8
  3. 0.005… Bb4 6. dxe4 Qh4+ 7. Ke2 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Qg4+ 9. Ke1 Qh4+

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Modern Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Nxc3 for Black, continuing 6. bxc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 d4 8. Be2 Bc5 9. Bg5 f6 10. exf6. Black is slightly better (−0.40). The next best moves are 5… Qh4+ (0.00) and 5… Bb4 (0.00).
Is the Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Modern Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.40: black is slightly better. 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: Vienna Gambit, Modern Variation?
C29. 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+).