
d5, 4 exd5 Nxd5, 5 Qh5!? White will get a more advantageous version of Steinitz Variation in the Scotch Game, given that here Black is unable to play Nb4. It is a waiting move intended to give White better positions by delaying. American master Ariel Mengarini has backed the rather quirky 3 a3. Playing 3 … Nc6 transform the fame to one of the variations above. d5, 4 exd5 Nxd5, 5 Bg2 Be6, 6 Nf3 Nc6, 7 O-O Be7, 8 Re1 Bf6, 9 Ne4 O-O, 10 d3 Be7, 11 a3 Nb6, 12 b4, with a slight advantage for White. Nc6, 6 Nb5 g6, 7 Qf3 f5, 8 Qd5 Qe7, 9 Nxc7+ Kd8, 10 Nxa8) White can opt for 3 g3 as a quieter option. Be7, 6 Nf3 Nc6, 7 Nxe5 0-0 or the complicated Frankenstein-Dracula Variation (5. after which Black choose either the simple 5. Nxe4 White should do well to play 4.Qh5 (with 5 Qxf7 mate) Nd6, 5 Bb3. Nxe4 followed by 4.Nxe4 d5 will give Black the opportunity to fork Bishop and Knight. In this situation Black reply by 3 … Bc5 transforming the game to King's Gambit Declined after 4 d3 d6, 5 f4 Nc6, 6 Nf3. After 3 Bc4 the board will resemble a position in Bishop's Opening (1 e4 e5, 2 Bc4). White may gain some open lines and initiative, but Black will probably be able fight off the attacks. Play will now proceed 4 fxe5 Nxe4, followed by 5 Nf3, 5 Qf3, or 5 d3.

exf4, 4 e5 Qe7, 5 Qe2 an subsequent retreat of the Knight. After 3 f4 Black can reply with 3 … d5 counter attacking the center. The move 3 Nf3 after 3 … Nc6 will transform the game to a Four Knights Game. Nf6 White can reply to this by 3 f4, 3 Bc4, or 3 g3.

Moves and Variations 1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Black’s most popular replies are 2. Vienna Game falls under the category of Open Game openings that begin with 1 e4 e5. Nowadays White play in Vienna Game is more restrained even featuring fianchetto of f Bishop to g2. Initially the distinctive 2 Nc3 was intended for the advance of f4 in a delayed version of King's Gambit opening.

Category – Open Game Opening Move Sequence – 1 e4 e5, 2 Nc3 ECO Codes – C25 to C29 The idea behind Vienna Game has evolved through the years.
