1.e4 — the open games
Vienna Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4ECO C29
The aggressive heart of the Vienna: White develops the knight first, then strikes with f4 to blow open the centre against Black's …Nf6. It carries much of the King's Gambit's attacking venom but with the extra knight already on c3 supporting e4 and the coming assault.
Key ideas
- f4 hits e5 and, once the centre opens, the f-file becomes an attacking highway.
- The knight on c3 supports a later d4 or e5 break and covers the key central squares.
- Black's cleanest reply is 3…d5; know it, because the sharp 3…exf4 lines favour White's initiative.
Who it suits
Club attackers who love the King's Gambit spirit but want a slightly sounder, better-supported version.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Vienna Gambit move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer