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Vienna Game

Zhuravlev Countergambit

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nc3Bb4
  3. 3.Qg4Nf6
16 games31%63%

A rare Vienna Game line in which Black answers 3. Qg4 against 2...Bb4 with 3...Nf6, giving up the g7-pawn for rapid development and counterplay.

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About the Zhuravlev Countergambit

The Zhuravlev Countergambit arises when Black meets the early queen sortie 3. Qg4 against 2...Bb4 by developing with 3...Nf6, leaving the g7-pawn en prise. Valerij Zhuravlev chose this in a 1969 game. Compared with the Giraffe Attack after 2...Bc5, Black lacks the ...Bxf2+ resource, so 3. Qg4 is somewhat stronger here. Every game in the small Lichess sample continues 4. Qxg7, yet Black has scored well; the engine considers the position roughly balanced.

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