Opening guides · playing Black

How to beat the Vienna Game & Gambit

2.Nc3 followed by f4 (the Vienna Gambit) is a popular weapon at club level. It aims for a fast kingside attack.

Three plans that work

1. Play 2...Nf6 and meet f4 with ...d5

Striking in the centre is the principled answer to the Vienna Gambit.

2. Or play 2...Nc6 and ...Bc5

It stops early f4 tricks and develops naturally.

3. Look out for Bc4 and Qh5 ideas

Many Vienna players set traps against f7. Cover it.

A line to play

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7

The pitfall

Grabbing the f4 pawn without development invites a strong attack.

What the data says

In 10 recent games of the top 100 titled Lichess players featuring the Vienna Game & Gambit, they scored 100% on average. Players who use it most: IM yoseph2013 (100%).

Prepare against the actual player

Averages only go so far. A Vienna Game & Gambit player has their own pet variations and weak spots. Before your next game, get a free fingerprint of your opponent, or get the full prep report ($5): every variation they play, where they score worst, and a game plan for both colours.