Vienna Gambit: 3...d5 main line is variation 1 of 5 in the Vienna Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C29). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 …. Black answers 3.f4 with the principled central strike 3...d5. White gains space with fxe5, builds a centre with d4 and Bd3, and after the f-file opens White's pieces aim at Black's king. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – Takes the centre and opens lines for the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. Nc3 – The Vienna move: the knight guards e4 and d5 while the f-pawn stays free to advance to f4.
2... Nf6 – Develops and attacks e4, the most common reply.
3. f4 – The Vienna Gambit: White strikes at e5 to open the f-file and gain central space with tempo.
3... d5 – The best reply: Black hits e4 at once so that after fxe5 the knight can jump to e4.
4. fxe5 – Takes the pawn and gains space: the e5 pawn takes the f6 square from Black's knight.
4... Nxe4 – The knight lands on a strong central square, attacking c3.
5. Nf3 – Develops toward the kingside, guards d4 and h4 (stopping ...Qh4+) and prepares d4.
5... Be7 – Black develops quietly and prepares to castle.
6. d4 – Builds the ideal centre, supports e5 and opens the c1 bishop.
6... O-O – Black castles before opening the f-file with ...f5 or ...f6.
7. Bd3 – Develops with pressure on the e4 knight and points at h7.
7... f5 – Supports the e4 knight with a pawn so it cannot be swapped off easily.
8. exf6 – Takes en passant: the f-file opens for White's rook after castling, and the e4 knight loses its pawn support.
8... Bxf6 – The bishop recaptures and now hits d4 along the long diagonal.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
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