Frankenstein-Dracula: 2...Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 is variation 5 of 5 in the Vienna Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C27). It runs 23 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 …. A warning line. If you play 3.Bc4, Black may grab e4 and the game becomes wild: White wins the a8 rook, but the knight on a8 may never escape and Black gets a strong attack. Learn it so you are not shocked, and know the f7 mating ideas along the way. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – Takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black mirrors.
2. Nc3 – Guards e4 and d5.
2... Nf6 – Develops and attacks e4.
3. Bc4 – Aims at f7, but invites the Frankenstein-Dracula with 3...Nxe4.
3... Nxe4 – Black uses a fork trick: if White takes, ...d5 regains the piece.
4. Qh5 – The most ambitious reply: it threatens Qxf7 mate and attacks the e4 knight's retreat.
4... Nd6 – The only good move: the knight guards f7 and attacks the c4 bishop.
5. Bb3 – Keeps the bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal so the f7 pressure stays.
5... Nc6 – Black develops, gives back nothing and lets White go after c7.
6. Nb5 – Threatens Nxd6+ (removing the f7 defender) and Nxc7+.
6... g6 – Black kicks the queen and covers the h5-e8 diagonal.
7. Qf3 – Renews the threat on f7 (the d6 knight is pinned to the mate).
7... f5 – Blocks the f-file so the queen no longer hits f7.
8. Qd5 – Threatens mate on f7 again and Nxc7+.
8... Qe7 – Defends f7 and keeps the knight on d6 protected.
The lesson goes on for 7 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM