ECO C25 · Vienna Game

Vienna Game: Zhuravlev Countergambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Qg4 Nf6

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

4. Qxg7+0.25

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

Analyze this position

In the Vienna Game: Zhuravlev Countergambit (C25), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Qg4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Qxg7 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.25).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.254. Qxg7 Rg8 5. Qh6 Rg6 6. Qe3 d6 7. Qd3 Nc6 8. a3 Bc5
  2. −0.694. Qh4 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bc4 c6 7. d3 d5 8. exd5 cxd5
  3. −0.754. Qg5 O-O 5. Nd5 Nxd5 6. Qxd8 Rxd8 7. exd5 c6 8. c3 Bf8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Vienna Game: Zhuravlev Countergambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Qg4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Qxg7 for White, continuing Rg8 5. Qh6 Rg6 6. Qe3 d6 7. Qd3 Nc6 8. a3 Bc5. The position is roughly equal (+0.25). The next best moves are 4. Qh4 (−0.69) and 4. Qg5 (−0.75).
Is the Vienna Game: Zhuravlev Countergambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.25: 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: Zhuravlev 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+).