Openings 1.e4 e5: open games
Vienna Game and Vienna Gambit: Lines, Traps and Stats by Rating
2.Nc3 develops a knight and keeps the f-pawn free. White can play a slow game with Bc4 and d3, or strike with f4, a King’s Gambit with an extra piece already out.
C25Vienna Game
Games from this position (1600–1999): 100k
- 1.
- 2.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41% | 41k | ||
| 27% | 27k | ||
| 11% | 11k | ||
| 9% | 9,120 | ||
| 3% | 3,336 | ||
| 3% | 3,183 | ||
| 2% | 1,756 | ||
| 0.7% | 671 | ||
| 0.4% | 449 | ||
| 0.4% | 447 | ||
| 0.2% | 155 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Against 2...Nf6, 3.f4 (Vienna Gambit) is the sharpest; 3.Bc4 is calmer and sets a trap.
- Against 2...Nc6, 3.Bc4 or 3.f4 again; g3 and Bg2 is a quiet option.
- If you play f4, follow up with Nf3 and d3 before you open the f-file.
Black
- 2...Nf6 is the main answer and hits e4. Meet 3.f4 with 3...d5!
- 2...Nc6 and 2...Bc5 are simpler and avoid the sharpest lines after 2...Nf6 3.f4.
- Do not let White get f4–f5 for free; ...d5 in the center is your best counter.
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Vienna Game at each rating
How often the position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 75k2.5% | 2...Nf633% | |
| 1200–1599 | 126k2.1% | 2...Nc637% | |
| 1600–1999 | 100k1.6% | 2...Nc641% | |
| 2000+ | 20k1.0% | 2...Nc642% | |
| All | 322k1.9% | 2...Nc637% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
The principled answer. Black strikes in the center and puts a knight on e4.
5,360 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 46%, 5% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4Black grabs the pawn with a fork trick idea. It leads to the wild Frankenstein-Dracula line after 4.Qh5.
3,036 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 4% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4The wild main line of 3...Nxe4 4.Qh5: White wins the a8 rook, but the knight is trapped there and Black gets a strong attack for it. Rare in real games.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Nc6 6.Nb5 g6 7.Qf3 f5 8.Qd5 Qe7 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Nxa8 b6A calm Italian-style game. 3...Nf6 4.d3 is the usual follow-up.
59k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 52%, 4% were drawn, Black won 44%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4White plays f4 anyway. Black often answers 3...exf4 and ...g5 or 3...Bc5.
14k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 52%, 3% were drawn, Black won 44%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4
Common traps
3...Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nf6??
After 3...Nxe4 White hits f7 with 4.Qh5. The natural-looking 4...Nf6?? attacks the queen but allows 5.Qxf7 mate. Black must play 4...Nd6.
Fewer than 6 games in our data reached the end of this line.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nf6 5.Qxf7#(ends in mate)Advertisement
At club level
The Vienna is popular online because it is easy to learn and the gambit lines win quickly against unprepared opponents. As Black, learn 2...Nf6 3.f4 d5 and the trap below.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- King’s Pawn Game: 1.e4 e5
1.e4 e5
- King’s Knight Opening: 2.Nf3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3
- Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
- Bishop’s Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
- Philidor Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6
- Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4