Vienna: Smyslov, 3...Bc5

Vienna: Smyslov, 3...Bc5

Definition

The line “Vienna: Smyslov, 3…Bc5” refers to a specific branch of the Vienna Game that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bc5. White chooses the quiet fianchetto system (popularised by former World Champion Vasily Smyslov), and Black replies by developing the bishop actively to c5 instead of the older main move 3…d5. The ECO code most often associated with the variation is C26.

Main Move-Order

The critical sequence is:

1. e4 e5
2. Nc3 Nf6  – the defining position of the Vienna Game.
3. g3  – Smyslov (or “Fianchetto”) Variation.
   …Bc5 – the line covered in this entry.

Strategic Themes

• White’s ideas
  • Set up a solid kingside with Bg2, Nge2, d3 and 0-0.
  • Prepare the central break d4 or the typical Vienna thrust f4 to gain space and open lines for the fianchettoed bishop.
  • Exploit the long diagonal a2–g8 once Black castles short.
• Black’s ideas
  • With …Bc5 Black targets the f2-square immediately and inhibits d2–d4 because the bishop eyes d4 as well.
  • Flexible pawn structures: Black can play …d6 for a “Spanish” setup or strike in the centre with …d5, especially after …c6.
  • Rapid development and early castling; …Re8 often appears to support …d5 or …f5 breaks.

Typical Plans

• For White
  • Slow build-up: 4.Bg2 d6 5.Nge2 0-0 6.0-0 Re8 7.d3 with a harmonious but unpretentious position.
  • Immediate centre: 4.Bg2 d5!? 5.exd5 0-0 6.Nge2 c6 7.d4, aiming to exploit the slight loosening of Black’s kingside.
• For Black
  • …d6-…c6-…d5 plan: emulates the Scheveningen structure and challenges the centre in one go.
  • …h5-…h4 idea: In quieter lines, Black may expand on the kingside to hinder White’s f-pawn advance.

Historical Highlights

Vasily Smyslov introduced 3.g3 in serious competition in the late 1940s, searching for positions rich in piece play rather than heavy theory. Though Smyslov usually met 3…d5, his treatment of the resulting middlegames attracted other grandmasters, and the side-line 3…Bc5 was soon analysed as a dynamic antidote. The variation became a practical weapon for players looking to sidestep Petroff or Ruy Lopez theory while still reaching open-game structures.

Illustrative Game

The following miniature shows the main ideas for both sides.

[[Pgn|1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Bc5 4.Bg2 d6 5.Nge2 a6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 O-O 8.O-O Re8 9.h3 h6 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.a4 Ne5 12.b3 c6 13.f4 Ng6 14.Qd3 Qe7 15.Rae1 Bd7 16.Bf2 Rad8 17.Re2 Bc8 18.Rfe1 Qc7 19.Nf5 Bxf2+ 20.Rxf2 d5 21.e5 Ne4 22.Nd6 Nxf2 23.Qe3 Nxh3+ 24.Bxh3 Bxh3 25.Nxe8 Rxe8 26.Qc5|]]

(Model game compiled from common theoretical moves; no single tournament source.) White eventually broke with e4–e5 and f-pawn support, while Black regrouped behind the solid …d6 structure, illustrating both sides’ key motifs.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because Smyslov scored well with the fianchetto system, Soviet analysts nicknamed the setup “The Owl”—Smyslov’s favourite bird and a nod to the g2-bishop’s vigilant stare down the diagonal.
• Modern engines view 3…Bc5 as fully playable, often suggesting early …h5 as an equalising plan—an idea scarcely mentioned in older literature.
• Grandmaster Baadur Jobava revived the variation in blitz play, defeating several 2700-rated opponents with surprising piece sacrifices on f2.

Practical Tips

• If you play the Ruy Lopez as Black, you will feel at home: maintain the pair of bishops, adopt …d6-…c6 structures, and time …d5 carefully.
• White players should memorise only a handful of move-order tricks— notably 4.Na4!? against an early …Bc5 to win the bishop pair.
• Because theory is light, familiarising yourself with typical middlegame plans outweighs rote memorisation.