Vienna GameC27

Stanley Variation, Monster Declined

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Be7

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. e4e4 occupies the center.
... e5e5 occupies the center.
2. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
3. Bc4Bc4 develops the bishop and controls d5.
... Nxe4Nxe4 captures a pawn.
4. Qh5Qh5 pins an enemy piece against its king.
... Nd6Nd6 controls e4.
5. Bb3Bb3 controls d5.
... Be7Be7 develops the bishop.

Open on the interactive board

Other major variations

The complete Vienna Game guide See all 41 variations in the branch map

Stanley Variation, Monster Declined (C27) · Vienna Game · OpeningMate