Vienna Game, Max Lange Attack & Steinitz Gambit
Vienna Game
Definition
The Vienna Game is an open chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3. By developing the queen’s knight before the king’s knight, White keeps the f-pawn free to advance and aims for rapid central and kingside pressure. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO) codes it as C25-C29.
Typical Move Orders & Branches
- 2…Nf6 3.f4 – The Vienna Gambit, often leading to the Steinitz Gambit.
- 2…Nc6 3.Bc4 – Transposes to the Bishop’s Opening.
- 2…Nc6 3.f4 – Vienna Gambit accepted (3…exf4) or declined (3…d6, 3…Bc5).
- 2…Nf6 3.g3 – Mieses Variation, a flexible fianchetto system.
Strategic Themes
Because the white king’s knight is still at g1, the pawn thrust f2-f4 can be played without blocking the knight’s natural square. Common plans include:
- Playing f4 to seize space and open the f-file for an attack.
- Maintaining flexibility: after 3.Bc4 or 3.g3, White can transpose into the Bishop’s Opening or King’s Indian Attack-style structures.
- Rapid piece activity targeting Black’s e5-pawn.
Historical Significance
The name stems from 19th-century Viennese masters such as Carl Hamppe and Ernst Falkbeer who championed the opening in cafés along the Danube. Wilhelm Steinitz, the first World Champion, used it to develop his pioneering ideas on dynamic imbalance and the initiative.
Famous Example
Hamppe – Meitner, Vienna 1872, produced the dazzling “Immortal Vienna Game,” culminating in a king-side mating net after a double rook sacrifice.
Interesting Facts
- Many club players adopt 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 as an “anti-Petrov” weapon to sidestep 2.Nf3 Nf6.
- The Vienna Game can transpose into the Four Knights Game after 2…Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6.
- Magnus Carlsen occasionally uses the Vienna in blitz to unbalance well-prepared opponents.
Max Lange Attack
Definition
The Max Lange Attack is a razor-sharp attacking system that arises chiefly from the Italian Game or Two Knights Defence. A standard move order is:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Bc5 (or 3…Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O)
- d4 exd4
- O-O Nf6
- e5!
After 6.e5, White gambits a pawn to open lines and drive Black’s pieces into awkward squares. The core idea is to build an overwhelming initiative against the f7-point.
Origins & Namesake
Named after German master Max Lange (1832-1899), an editor of the Deutsche Schachzeitung and twice winner of the Western German Championship. Lange’s analyses in the 1850s demonstrated the viability of bold, sacrificial play in open positions.
Main Tactical Motifs
- Early central pawn lever e4-e5 to gain time by attacking the f6-knight.
- Queen-rook battery on the e-file after Re1, Qe2, and sometimes Bg5.
- The thematic sacrifice Bxf7+ followed by Ng5+ to expose the black king.
Illustrative Game
Steinitz – Chigorin, World Championship (3) Havana 1889, featured the Max Lange Attack. Steinitz’s 15th-move queen sacrifice led to a picturesque mate.
Theory & Evaluation
Modern engines tend to view the attack as objectively balanced with best play, yet its complexity makes it a potent practical weapon, especially in rapid and blitz formats.
Trivia
- Because the attack can arise from both the Italian and the Two Knights, many databases label its ECO codes as C55-C59.
- Max Lange himself preferred telegraph chess; he once played 14 simultaneous telegraph games—an early precursor to today’s online bullet marathons.
Steinitz Gambit (in the Vienna Game)
Definition
The Steinitz Gambit is an audacious pawn sacrifice for White in the Vienna Gambit characterized by an early king walk to e2. One direct route is:
- e4 e5
- Nc3 Nc6
- f4 exf4
- d4 Qh4+
- Ke2 d5
White sacrifices not only the f-pawn but also delays castling, aiming for rapid development and central dominance while Black’s queen is exposed on h4.
Key Ideas
- Tempo gains: Black’s queen often becomes the target of multiple minor-piece attacks (Nf3, Bxf4).
- Central pawn steamroller: Pawns on e4 & d4 advance to e5 & d5, cramping Black.
- King safety paradox: The king on e2 looks precarious but can be surprisingly safe behind a pawn shield, later sliding to f2 or g1 by hand.
Historical Context
Wilhelm Steinitz introduced the line in the 1880s to illustrate his theories that the initiative and piece activity could compensate for structural weaknesses. Although superseded by sounder openings at top level, it remains a cult favorite among romantic players.
Model Game
Mieses – Steinitz, Vienna 1882, is the classic reference. Steinitz defended against his own gambit and ultimately triumphed, but the struggle showcased the line’s attacking flair.
Modern Assessment
Engines give Black a clear edge (≈ -1.00) with precise play—particularly if Black returns the pawn to release the queen and develop smoothly. However, in practical games below master level, the gambit scores surprisingly well because unfamiliar opponents often falter under attack.
Fun Facts
- Some databases list the line as C29 (“Vienna Gambit: Steinitz Gambit”).
- In the streaming era, the gambit became a viral sensation after GM Eric Rosen’s “Let me show you the Steinitz Gambit—don’t try this at home” video.
- Grandmaster Simon Williams (“Ginger GM”) occasionally wheels it out in online blitz with the tongue-in-cheek motto, “Centralised king, centralised power!”