Albertan Greg Huber put out the Chessbase cd "The Vienna Game" (C23-C29) it is a first class piece of work and one of the best Chessbase has ever produced, according to a number of very strong players, and one weak one...me! It also includes a thorough coverage of Bishop's opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4...).

I have played the Vienna for about 30+ years and managed to beat weaker players and lose to stronger players, which is to be expected. I played the Oxford Variation which gives White an even game out of the opening if his opponent knows what he is doing, but few do! With the Oxford variation I defeated a 2300 British Master in tournament play with it three years ago. (Oxford variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4. 5. d3)

The Vienna is hard to beat if Black is playing for a win. Also tricky is 1.e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6/c6 3. g3....

There was a previous work on the Vienna by Chessbase. It was really terrific.

I once was at a small tournament in Santa Monica, CA watching a friend of mine (2400+ in those days, now he's an IM) play a Mongolian IM. The Mongolian played a g3 Vienna. After one move that Black played, my friend became visibly upset at himself, complete with head shaking. This was still in the opening. Perhaps Black forgot his preparation. I didn't ask him because of the faster time controls of the tournament, and the psychology going into the next round. More likely, he missed the best move and then "psyched" himself right out of the game. 

It was clear that it was the Mongolian's pet system and that he had come to rely on it. Just seems much better than the Vienna Gambit to me.

BPaulsen wrote on 06/24/09 at 05:16:35:


I agree.  It's a game of chess.  But I do think, having looked at it at some length, that the Vienna with 3.f4 is not terribly promising.

I also think it is pretty useless....

But maybe somebody is really playing the vienna regulary. However I wonder how difficult it was for Martin not starting to laugh during the presentation 

Lies Flig. I played 3...Nxe4 in a club championship this game because I wanted a nice sharp battle, and my opponent chose 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Qxe5+. As always, if white wants to stodge up, black can do little about it.

But the Vienna is quite tricky to face OTB, even prepared, and I would imagine it would serve well anyone who chose to study it properly. That said, what Martin's personal expertise with the opening is, is another matter however...

ghenghisclown wrote on 06/24/09 at 04:59:52:


Well if you would have opened "What do you think about the Vienna?" I might have been more constructive. I doubt even if you are really interested in hearing others opinion because your mind seems already made up.

Plus I did give an opinion in my post. 

To clarify further: Against a prepared opponent you won't get an advantage out of the opening. If your opponent doesn't know how to handle the Vienna it will be painfull.

Because it's a waste and probably misleading too. Also, I wanted to discuss the opening and people's opinions on it. Way to contribute.