Vienna: 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4

Before the first move

The Vienna Game is a flexible opening where White develops the queenside knight early to control the center. In this sharp variation, Black tries to exploit the placement of White's bishop with a temporary piece sacrifice. You will learn how to navigate the tactical complications that arise when the center opens up quickly.

1. e4White · your move

Push your king's pawn to e4. This move claims central space, opens lines for your queen and light-squared bishop, and prepares for rapid development. It is the most popular way to start the game and leads to open, tactical battles.

1... e5Black

Black replies with e5, meeting White head-on in the center. This leads to the Open Games. While alternatives like the French Defense with e6 or the Caro-Kann with c6 are very popular, the symmetrical e5 remains the gold standard for fighting for equality from move one.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This is the defining move of the Vienna Game. You are reinforcing your e4 pawn and controlling the d5 square while keeping your f-pawn free to move later, which distinguishes this from the more common Ruy Lopez or Italian Game.

Other paths here: Ke2 (Bongcloud Attack) · d4 (Center Game) · c4 (English Opening: The Whale) · Ne2 (King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening)

2... Nf6Black

Black responds with Nf6, the most active defense. By attacking e4, Black asks White how they intend to proceed. Other options like Nc3 (the Max Lange Defense) or Bc5 are solid, but Nf6 is widely considered the most challenging test for White's setup.

Other paths here: Bc5 (Vienna Game: Anderssen Defense) · Nc6 (Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense) · Bb4 (Vienna: 2...Bb4) · d6 (Vienna: 2...d6)

3. Bc4White · your move

Move your bishop to c4. This active square puts pressure on f7 and prepares for kingside castling. You are inviting Black into a tactical battle, as this move leaves the e4 pawn temporarily loose, setting the stage for the famous 'fork trick' tactic.

Other paths here: a3 (Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation) · g3 (Vienna Game: Mieses Variation) · d3 (Vienna: 2...Nf6 3.d3) · f4 (Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit)

3... Nxe4Black

Black plays Nxe4, a tactical strike. Black is not actually winning a pawn, but rather forcing a simplification that challenges White's center. Instead of this, Black often plays Bc5 for a standard Italian-style game or Bb4 to pin the knight, but the knight capture is the most ambitious.

Other paths here: Bb4 (Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Reversed Spanish) · Bc5 (Vienna: 3.Bc4 Bc5) · Nc6 (Vienna: 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.d3)

4. Nxe4White · your move

Capture the knight on e4. You must accept the challenge and regain your material immediately. While Black is about to strike back in the center with d5, you have successfully removed their most active piece and kept your development moving forward.

Other paths here: Qh5 (Vienna: 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5) · Bxf7 (Vienna Game: Frankenstein-Dracula Variation)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. Black will likely play d5 next, forking White's knight and bishop to regain the piece. White should prepare to retreat the bishop to d3 or b3, leading to an open game where both sides have clear development paths and chances for a kingside attack.

• d7-d5 Black forks the knight and bishop.
• c4-d3 White saves the bishop and defends e4.
• g1-f3 White develops the knight and prepares castling.
• f8-d6 Black develops the bishop to a central post.