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Falkbeer Variation

Vienna Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6

Black develops the knight to f6 and attacks e4 at once.

Fun fact: The 2...Nf6 defence is named after Ernst Falkbeer. Source

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The idea

Black plays 2...Nf6, the most natural reply, attacking e4 and preparing ...d5. White chooses between 3.f4, the Vienna Gambit, 3.Bc4, aiming at f7, and 3.g3, the quiet Mieses Variation.

Plans for White

With 3.f4, White plays for a sharp attack on the f-file. With 3.Bc4, White invites 3...Nxe4 and the wild Frankenstein-Dracula Variation. With 3.g3, White fianchettoes and aims for a slower, positional game.

Plans for Black

Against 3.f4, answer 3...d5. Against 3.Bc4, Black can take on e4 and enter the Frankenstein-Dracula, or play more quietly. Against 3.g3, 3...d5 again frees Black's game.

Watch out for

For Black, taking the f4 pawn. After 3.f4, 3...exf4?! lets White gain time with 4.e5, driving the knight from f6.

For White, overreaching. The Vienna Gambit and the Frankenstein-Dracula are sharp, and a careless move from White can leave the king or the e4 pawn exposed.

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