2...Nc6: into the Vienna is variation 6 of 6 in the Bishop's Opening course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C23). It runs 17 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 …. Against 2...Nc6 White can play 3.Nc3 and reach a Vienna Game. After 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nf3 d6 White jumps to a4 with the knight and wins the bishop pair. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black takes an equal share.
2. Bc4 – The bishop aims at f7.
2... Nc6 – Black develops and protects e5.
3. Nc3 – White protects e4 with the knight. This is a Vienna Game.
3... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
4. d3 – The Vienna Hybrid. White protects e4 with a pawn.
4... Bc5 – Black's most popular reply. The bishop aims at f2.
5. Nf3 – White develops the last knight.
5... d6 – Black protects e5 with a pawn.
6. Na4 – The knight jumps to a4 and attacks the c5 bishop. White wants the bishop pair.
6... Bb6 – The bishop steps back to keep the diagonal.
7. Nxb6 – White trades the knight for the bishop.
7... axb6 – Black takes back toward the centre. The a-file opens for the rook.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... O-O – Black castles too.
The lesson goes on for 1 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM