2...Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Qg4 is variation 3 of 5 in the Vienna Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C25). It runs 17 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Qg4 Qf6 …. When Black mirrors with 3...Bc5, the queen jumps to g4 to attack g7 at once. Black often grabs f2 with ...Qxf2+, but the king on f8 and the knight on d5 give White excellent attacking chances. 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 claims the centre.
2. Nc3 – The Vienna, guarding e4 and d5.
2... Nc6 – Black develops and protects e5.
3. Bc4 – Aims the bishop at f7, Black's weakest point.
3... Bc5 – Black copies White and aims at f2.
4. Qg4 – Attacks g7 at once; Black must deal with the threat and cannot castle soon.
4... Qf6 – Defends g7 and counterattacks f2.
5. Nd5 – Attacks the queen and threatens Nxc7+ forking king and rook.
5... Qxf2+ – Black grabs the pawn with check, the critical try.
6. Kd1 – The king steps aside; Black's queen on f2 is now in danger of being trapped.
6... Kf8 – Protects g7 and f7 with the king.
7. Nh3 – Develops with tempo on the black queen and covers f2.
7... Qd4 – The queen escapes to a central square, attacking c4 and b2.
8. d3 – Protects c4 and opens the c1 bishop.
8... d6 – Black opens the c8 bishop to fight against h3 and g4.
The lesson goes on for 1 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM