Vienna: 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5

Before the first move

The Vienna Game is a sharp, tactical opening where White develops the queenside knight before the kingside. This specific line, the Frankenstein-Dracula Variation, leads to wild complications where White ignores a temporary pawn sacrifice to launch a devastating early queen attack against the f7-square.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This classic opening move claims the center and opens diagonals for your queen and light-squared bishop. It is the most ambitious way to start the game, aiming for rapid development and early control of the board's heart.

1... e5Black

Black plays e5, meeting White head-on in the center. This is the Open Game. While alternatives like the Scandinavian with d5 or the Caro-Kann with c6 are common, e5 remains the most principled response, leading to famous openings like the Ruy Lopez or the Italian Game.

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 Vienna Game. Unlike the more common Nf3, this move keeps the f-pawn free to move later while defending e4. You are signaling that you want a different kind of game, often involving a kingside pawn storm.

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

2... Nf6Black

Black replies with Nf6, the most resilient defense against the Vienna. By attacking e4, you force White to decide how to protect it. Other options include Bc5 or the solid d6, but Nf6 keeps the pressure high and prepares for tactical counter-play.

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

Slide your bishop to c4. You are targeting the weak f7-square and preparing for the sharpest lines of the Vienna. This setup resembles a delayed Italian Game but with your knight already on c3, adding extra control over the d5-square.

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, entering the heart of the Frankenstein-Dracula Variation. You are daring White to find the best continuation. Instead of this, you could have played the calm Bc5 or Bb4, but capturing the pawn creates immediate tactical chaos that requires precise play from both sides.

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

4. Qh5White · your move

Bring your queen out to h5. This is the point of your setup. You ignore the knight on e4 for a moment to create a double threat: you are attacking the e5 pawn and, more importantly, threatening a checkmate on f7 alongside your bishop.

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

Where you stand

The position is on a knife-edge. White has massive pressure on f7 and e5, while Black has an extra pawn and a centralized knight. Black must now play Nd6 to defend f7 and attack the bishop, leading to a complex middle-game where White often sacrifices more material for a crushing kingside attack.

• e4-d6 Retreat the knight to defend f7
• h5-e5 Capture the central pawn with check
• c3-d5 Jump into the center to increase pressure
• e1-g1 Castle kingside after clearing the knight