Theoria
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Vienna Game

Vienna Gambit, Steinitz Variation

C29offbeattactical

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nc3Nf6
  3. 3.f4d5
  4. 4.d3
822 games51%45%

Vienna Gambit line in which White answers 3...d5 with 4. d3, bolstering e4 instead of capturing on e5; Black gains easy counterplay.

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About the Steinitz Variation

The Steinitz Variation, 4. d3, declines to take on e5 and instead props up e4 against the 3...d5 counterstrike. The support proves shaky: after 4...dxe4, the usual reply, recapturing with the d-pawn allows a queen trade on d1 that displaces White's king, and after ...exf4 the push e4-e5 loses its force because of ...Ng4 or ...d4. Black also plays 4...d4 or 4...exf4, and the engine gives Black a slight edge.

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