Vienna Gambit: 3...exf4 4.e5 is variation 2 of 5 in the Vienna Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C29). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 exf4 4. e5 Ng8 …. If Black accepts the gambit, 4.e5 kicks the knight back to g8. White regains the f4 pawn later and enjoys a big lead in development. 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 bishop.
1... e5 – Black mirrors and claims the centre.
2. Nc3 – Guards e4 and d5 while keeping the f-pawn free to advance.
2... Nf6 – Develops and hits e4.
3. f4 – The Vienna Gambit, offering the f-pawn to open lines.
3... exf4 – Black accepts the pawn, but this lets White gain a tempo on the f6 knight.
4. e5 – Kicks the knight from f6. Without that knight Black's kingside is easier to attack.
4... Ng8 – The knight retreats home. Other squares are worse: on g4 it can simply be taken by the queen.
5. Nf3 – Develops and guards e5 and h4, so ...Qh4+ is no longer possible.
5... d6 – Black attacks e5 to break up White's centre and free the c8 bishop.
6. d4 – Supports e5 and opens the c1 bishop, which will take back the f4 pawn.
6... dxe5 – Black removes the e5 pawn.
7. Qe2 – Pins the e5 pawn against the king on e8 and prepares to win it back, keeping queens on for an attack.
7... Be7 – Black develops and breaks the e-file pin so the e5 pawn can be defended or given back.
8. Qxe5 – Regains the pawn with a central queen that hits g7 and b8 and eyes f4.
8... Nc6 – Black develops with tempo on the white queen.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
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