C25 · Open · a plan for White

Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit

10/10
1.e4e52.Nc3Nc63.g3Bc54.Bg2h55.Nf3h4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit93 games · White to move
Only 93 games reach this position at this level — read it loosely.
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
60%5633%
16%1533%
11%1040%
7.5%757%
2.2%20%
1.1%1100%
1.1%10%
1.1%1100%
Famous games in this line8 master games
Short, Nigel D (2610) – Kavalek, Lubomir (2545)1990½–½Mohr, Georg (2495) – Leventic, Ivan (2400)19970–1Hartston, William R (2420) – Mariotti, Sergio (2470)19720–1Vorotnikov, Vladislav V (2410) – Hennings, Artur (2450)19791–0Tao, Trevor (2435) – Chapman, Mark (2380)20041–0Utrera Zunda, Evelio (2302) – Lanz Calavia, José María (2336)2020½–½Martin, Thomas (2240) – Bachmayr, Peter (2345)1991½–½Hauwert, Nicolaas (2220) – Welling, Gerard (2335)19860–1
Heroes of this opening Leventic, Ivan · Mariotti, Sergio · Vorotnikov, Vladislav V · Tao, Trevor
Family
Vienna Game
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C25
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 h5 5. Nf3 h4
GambitFianchettoClassical
★ Read the guide: Vienna GameExplore all 41 Vienna Game lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Breyer VariationC29 2…Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 …Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Monster DeclinedC27 2…Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 …Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Bardeleben VariationC29 2…Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Qf3 …
From the archives

Vienna's coffee-house masters of the 19th century loved 2.Nc3: it keeps every King's Gambit dream alive while dodging Black's best-prepared replies. The Vienna Gambit lines (3.f4) still score brutally in club chess — same fire, one move of patience.

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