Vienna: 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Qxe5+

Before the first move

Step into the wild world of the Vienna Game, specifically the sharp Frankenstein-Dracula Variation. White prioritizes active piece play and early threats, while Black attempts to punish White's aggression with a daring central sacrifice. You are entering a tactical minefield where both sides must know their theory to survive the early complications.

1. e4White · your move

Push your king's pawn to e4. This move claims the center and opens diagonal paths for your queen and light-squared bishop. It is the most popular way to start the game, leading to open positions where piece activity is paramount.

1... e5Black

Black replies e5, establishing a foothold in the center. While solid, you could also consider the French Defense with e6 or even the Scandinavian with d5. By choosing e5, you invite White to define the battle in the very next move.

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 hallmark of the Vienna Game. You protect your e4 pawn and keep an eye on the d5 square, all while keeping your options open for the f-pawn to potentially join the attack later.

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

2... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, the most active way to meet the Vienna. Other options like Nc6 or the Anderssen Defense with Bc5 are common, but Nf6 often leads to the sharpest lines if White chooses to play aggressively.

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. You are developing your light-squared bishop to its most active diagonal, targeting the weak f7 square. This aggressive placement invites Black to find a tactical solution to the pressure you are building.

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 the shocking Nxe4. This central liquidation is the start of the Frankenstein-Dracula Variation. You could play more safely with Bc5 or Nc6, but capturing on e4 forces White to prove their compensation for the central disruption.

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

Slide your queen to h5. You are ignoring the knight for a moment to create a double threat: you are attacking the e5 pawn and threatening a quick checkmate on f7. This move forces Black to respond accurately to your immediate pressure.

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

4... Nd6Black

Black replies Nd6, the only move to keep the balance. The knight defends the mate threat and hits the bishop. Now White must decide whether to save the bishop with Bb3 or continue the assault by taking on e5.

5. Qxe5+White · your move

Capture the pawn on e5 with your queen, delivering a check. This move restores material balance and keeps the Black king in the center for now. You are maintaining the initiative and forcing Black to block the check.

Other paths here: Bb3 (Vienna: 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. White has active pieces and a central queen, while Black has the bishop pair and a solid structure once the queens are traded. White will look to develop the kingside quickly, while Black aims to use the d6 knight to stabilize and eventually push d5.

• c4-b3 Save the bishop from the knight attack
• d8-e7 Force a queen trade to simplify
• g1-f3 Develop the knight and prepare castling
• f8-e7 Develop the bishop after the queen trade
• e1-g1 Get the king to safety quickly