C25

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense

15 named lines in this family, ECO C25. Every one of them opens 1. e4 e5, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

The moves every line here plays

1. e4 e5

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.

Main lineC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4

In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds e5.

• 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the e4 pawn. Theory calls this the Vienna Game.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn. Theory calls this the Max Lange Defense.

Knight VariationC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as Black's avenue and the f-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.

Steinitz GambitC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4

Cunningham DefenseC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 Be7

Quelle GambitC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 Bc5 4. fxe5 d6

White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.

Pierce GambitC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. d4

Steinitz Gambit, Main LineC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2

Steinitz Gambit, Fraser-Minckwitz DefenseC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 b6

Steinitz Gambit, Paulsen DefenseC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d6

Steinitz Gambit, Sörensen DefenseC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 g5

Steinitz Gambit, Zukertort DefenseC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d5

Hamppe-Allgaier GambitC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5

Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Alapin VariationC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5 d6

Hamppe-Muzio GambitC25

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. Bc4 g4 6. O-O gxf3

Hamppe-Allgaier Gambit, Thorold VariationC25

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 g5 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5 h6 7. Nxf7 Kxf7 8. d4

• 2. f4 Challenges the pawn on e5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the King's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... exf4 Takes the pawn on f4, toward the centre. Theory calls this the King's Gambit Accepted.

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