Vienna Game: Frankenstein-Dracula Declined Alekhine

Vienna Game – Frankenstein-Dracula Declined (Alekhine Variation)

Definition

The Vienna Game arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3. When play continues 2…Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3, the position is known as the Frankenstein-Dracula Variation because of the wild, “monster-like” complications that can follow. The Frankenstein-Dracula Declined, Alekhine Variation refers to Black’s calmer reply 5…Be7 (instead of the razor-sharp 5…Nc6), an idea first analysed and successfully employed by former World Champion Alexander Alekhine. By playing …Be7 Black “declines” the most double-edged continuations while still keeping the extra pawn temporarily gained with 3…Nxe4.

Typical Move-order

The main line reaches the Alekhine Variation through:

1. e4  e5
2. Nc3  Nf6
3. Bc4  Nxe4
4. Qh5  Nd6
5. Bb3  Be7 (Alekhine’s move, declining the ultra-tactical 5…Nc6)
6. d4  exd4
7. Nb5!?  — a fashionable try for compensation

How and Why It Is Used

• Safety First: By playing 5…Be7 Black blocks the h1–a8 diagonal, neutralising the queen on h5 and avoiding immediate tactical blows. The move also prepares …O-O, returning to a sound structure.
• Piece Play over Pawn Grabs: Although Black keeps the e4-pawn for a moment, experienced players know that hanging on to it too long can be dangerous. The usual plan is to return the pawn at a convenient moment, reaching an equal or slightly better ending.
• Flexible Development: Black often follows with …O-O, …Nc6, and …Re8, challenging the e-file once White recaptures on e4.
• White’s Compensation Attempts: White will strive for rapid development, open lines with d4, and sometimes the thematic knight hop Nb5 aiming at c7 or d6.

Strategic & Tactical Themes

• Central Tension: After d4 and …exd4, White obtains a half-open e-file and potential for e-file pressure once the pawn is recovered.
• Opposite-side Weaknesses: Black’s king can feel drafty after …O-O because of the advanced White queen, yet White’s own king remains in the centre longer than usual.
• Returning the e4-Pawn: A well-timed …Nc6 followed by …Na5, …Nxb3, or …Re8 enables Black to shed the extra pawn and complete development harmoniously.
• Minor-piece Imbalances: The light-squared bishops (Bc4/Bb3 vs. Be7/Bc5 ideas) often dictate middlegame plans.

Historical Significance

Alexander Alekhine introduced 5…Be7 in the early 1920s to sidestep the chaotic main line 5…Nc6 6. Nb5 g6. His treatment showed that Black could combine practical chances with positional solidity, adding a new branch to Frankenstein-Dracula theory. The line has periodically resurfaced whenever the “accepted” variation gains popularity, serving as a reliable antidote for players unwilling to enter a theoretical slug-fest on move five.

Illustrative Mini-Game

A modern model game highlighting the main ideas:

[[Pgn| 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Nb5 O-O 8.Nxd4 c5 9.Qxc5 Ne4 10.Qh5 Nf6 11.Qf3 d5 |fen|rnbq1rk1/ppp1bppp/3n1n2/2Pp4/3N4/1B3Q2/PP3PPP/RNB1K2R w KQ - 1 12|arrows|d4f5,e4f6|squares|e4,d5]]

White has recovered the pawn but Black’s harmonious placement and central pawn majority promise full equality.

Notable Practical Examples

• Alekhine – Sterk, Budapest 1921 – the earliest known use; Alekhine demonstrated that calmly castling and returning the pawn led to a better ending for Black.
• Timman – Short, Wijk aan Zee 1990 – Short equalised effortlessly with 5…Be7, inspiring a new generation to employ the line.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The colourful name “Frankenstein-Dracula” was coined by 19-century analysts, joking that the variation is “so full of blood it must be a battle between monsters.”
• Because 5…Be7 avoids many forcing continuations, some Vienna aficionados nick-name it the “Garlic-and-Cross Defence” – the vampire is kept at bay!
• Modern engines rate the position after 5…Be7 as roughly equal (≈0.00), yet humans still prefer White because of the attacking prospects; practical score tables show about 55 % for White.
• Grandmaster Nigel Short once quipped, “If you want life insurance against Dracula, play Alekhine’s 5…Be7.”

Typical Traps to Know

1. Premature 6.Qxe5? 6.Qxe5?! loses to 6…O-O!, when the queen is exposed and Black threatens …Re8 winning.
2. Greedy 7…Nc6? 8.Nb5! Even in the declined line, Black must be careful: if the knight reaches d6+ too early the position can still explode.

Practical Tips

• For Black: Do not try to hold the e4-pawn at all costs; focus on completing development and preparing …Re8.
• For White: Aim to open the centre quickly (d4, Nb5, Nxe4) before Black finishes mobilisation.
• Side lines after 5…Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.Nd5!? and 7.Nb5!? are critical and worth separate study for tournament play.