C25

Vienna Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3
♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♝♛♚♝♞♜
The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3, Black to move.

In the Vienna Game, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

See how you play it

The Vienna Game is a chess opening classified under ECO code C25. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3: 3 moves in, with Black to play.

Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.

39 named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.

Play the Vienna Game? See where you go wrong.
Deepline reviews your real games, finds the exact moves that cost you, and trains the fixes.
Analyze my games free →

Variations of the Vienna Game

Related openings

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange DefenseVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Cunningham DefenseVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier GambitVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Alapin VariationVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold VariationVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Hamppe-Muzio GambitVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Knight VariationVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Pierce GambitVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Quelle GambitVienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit

See how you play this opening