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Welcome to another episode of the “chess noob Game Review” series where the focus will be on identifying in how a game, whether I win or lose, could have been improved. This gives me an opportunity to reflect more deeply about a game and hopefully, the lessons that I draw for myself will be helpful to my fellow beginner and beginner-intermediate chess players!

In the Vienna Game, one of the slightly annoying responses by Black is when they play the Max Lange Defense, and then on move 3, the super solid d6 (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 d6). Effectively, this tends to move the game down a more positional lines and it often isn’t possible to launch an early massive attack against Black’s king.

In this video, I’ll go through some of the typical themes and ideas that crop up when a Vienna Game goes down this path!

Firstly, on move 4, a decision will need to be made. Evaluation-wise, the best move is probably (4. Nf3). However, in doing so, the game will head down an Italian-ish path. Is that what you want to do? For myself, I play the Vienna to avoid playing the Italian, so I don’t usually play this, but you do you!

A very Vienna-ish idea is to play f4 and then develop the knight behind the pawn. Before we can play f4, we need to support the f4 square with the dark square bishop, and to do that, we need to move the d-pawn. So, the next move is (4. d3) – not the most optimal in this position, but perfectly fine. And without Black doing anything unusual or immediately exploitable, the next two moves are also as before – f4 and then Nf3 (4… h6 5. f4 Nf6 6. Nf3).

In this game, Black attempted to pin the knight to the queen (6… Bg4), quite a common manoeuvre. However, it’s a mistake in this context as we can chase the bishop with our kingside pawns, and the bishop almost gets trapped. By move 9, we’ve developed a powerful connect 4 diagonal of pawns, and forced the bishop to move 4 turns in a row to an awkward square on the edge of the board!

As we move out of the opening into the middle game, we both castle queenside. The interesting thing about this position is that Black has an okay position according to Stockfish evaluation for most of this part of the game. However, it doesn’t “feel” like it to human sensibilities as I have a more straightforward attack on Black’s position. This comes to a head on move 22 where Black offers to not only trade queens, but also, offer a concession where they damage the structure of the king’s defensive pawns. And in doing so, the evaluation shifts from [0.00] to almost [+2].

Almost immediately afterwards, Black blunders [+4.6], having been drawn into the wake of my attack. In attempting to trap my bishop, they potentially lose sight of what is potentially their most valuable piece, the pawn on f6, which is a passed pawn. This results in me capturing not just one, but now two pawns, and immediately forcing a series of balanced trades.

By move 32, we’d entered an endgame where Black had a rook and knight vs my rook pair, and I was up two pawns with a passed pawn on the h-file. Stockfish evaluated this at better than [+9]. There was quite a bit of shuffling in the endgame and although Black played well, it wasn’t difficult to play with the White pieces. On move 50, one move away from mate, Black resigned. GG!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/74214024679

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.02"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "IRicardo7"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C25"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Vienna-Game-Max-Lange-Defense-3.Bc4"]
[UTCDate "2023.04.02"]
[UTCTime "22:35:03"]
[WhiteElo "1422"]
[BlackElo "1416"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "22:35:03"]
[EndDate "2023.04.02"]
[EndTime "23:20:55"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/74214024679"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.82046355.50x50o.c8c8e6b7296c.jpg"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/183457905.b2897be3.50x50o.d87a3c1db614.jpeg"]
[BlackCountry "27"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:29:56.9]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:29:51.1]} 2. Nc3 {[%clk 0:29:43]} 2...
Nc6 {[%clk 0:29:27.1] Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense} 3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:29:38.7]}
3... d6 {[%clk 0:28:22.3][%c_arrow
g8f6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] This is a slightly
suboptimal move [+0.5] but not immediately easy to exploit} 4. d3 {[%clk
0:28:32.1]} 4... h6 {[%clk 0:28:06]} 5. f4 {[%clk 0:28:18.7]} 5... Nf6 {[%clk
0:27:13.2]} 6. Nf3 {[%clk 0:27:57.9]} 6... Bg4 {[%clk 0:26:53.4] Somewhat
suboptimal as I can now chase the bishop, but at the cost of potentially
over-extending my kingside pawns [+1.2]} 7. h3 {[%clk 0:27:28.4]} 7... Bh5 $2
{[%clk 0:26:50.4][%c_arrow
g4e6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake [+2.7]} 8. g4
{[%clk 0:27:24.6]} 8... Bg6 {[%clk 0:26:47.1]} 9. f5 {[%clk
0:27:21.2][%c_highlight
c2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c2;persistent;false,d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false,e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false]
Connect 4 $1} 9... Bh7 {[%clk 0:26:40.1]} 10. g5 $6 {[%clk 0:26:48.1][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a2a3;keyPressed;none;from;a2;opacity;0.8;to;a3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a3;persistent;false] A relative inaccuracy
[+1.7], but I was hoping for a connect 5 $1} 10... hxg5 $1 {[%clk
0:26:26.5][%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11. Nxg5 $6
{[%clk 0:26:22.1][%c_arrow
d1e2;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Somewhat complicated position -
Stockfish preferred developing the queen [+0.6]} 11... Bg8 $1 {[%clk
0:26:08.4][%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Although this
is an \"excellent move\", it's also a rather sad position for the bishop $1} 12.
Nd5 {[%clk 0:24:26.5]} 12... Be7 {[%clk 0:25:40.6]} 13. Nxe7 {[%clk 0:22:57]}
13... Nxe7 {[%clk 0:25:14.3]} 14. Be3 {[%clk 0:21:57.5]} 14... d5 {[%clk
0:24:15.4]} 15. Bb3 {[%clk 0:21:02.2]} 15... Qd6 {[%clk 0:22:24.2]} 16. Qd2 $6
{[%clk 0:20:00.7][%c_effect
d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_arrow
d1f3;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false] Relative
inaccuracy in queen development [-0.3]} 16... O-O-O $6 {[%clk
0:22:03.5][%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a7a5;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false] Complicated
positional game $1 Stockfish called this an inaccuracy though it is sensible
[+0.5]} 17. O-O-O {[%clk 0:19:54]} 17... g6 {[%clk 0:20:47.2]} 18. fxg6 {[%clk
0:19:23.4]} 18... Nxg6 $2 {[%clk 0:20:36.7][%c_effect
g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake [+3.7] as it moves the
knight to a less active square, and reduces the pressure/defence of the d5
square} 19. exd5 $6 {[%clk 0:17:37.1][%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d3d4;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false] However, I didn't
play the most accurate follow up move [+1]} 19... Nxd5 {[%clk 0:20:32.6]} 20.
Ne4 {[%clk 0:17:29.1]} 20... Qc6 {[%clk 0:19:32.1]} 21. Bf2 $2 {[%clk
0:15:03.5][%c_arrow
b3d5;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish didn't like this move
recommending that I trade off Black's knight [0.00]} 21... f6 {[%clk 0:16:38]}
22. Qa5 {[%clk 0:14:51]} 22... Qa6 $2 {[%clk 0:15:24.2][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] However, against an aggressive
posturing, Black settles for a queen trade, which was a mistake as it
permanently damages the defence of their king [+1.8]} 23. Qxa6 {[%clk
0:13:31.7]} 23... bxa6 {[%clk 0:15:20.7]} 24. Bxa7 $6 {[%clk 0:13:18.4][%c_effect
a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] My approach here was to attempt to
capture hanging material and trade off pieces to simplify, as I thought that I
could win an endgame with Black's damaged position. Stockfish didn't agree that
this was the best approach [+0.7]} 24... Nb6 $4 {[%clk 0:15:14.4][%c_effect
b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f6f5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false] However, Black got
drawn into the wake of my forthright attack, which justified my approach [+4.6].
Psychological tactics $1} 25. Bxg8 $1 {[%clk 0:12:46.5][%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25... Rhxg8 {[%clk 0:15:04.3]} 26.
Nxf6 {[%clk 0:12:39.8] And now, up two points of material as we head into the
endgame $1} 26... Rgf8 {[%clk 0:14:56]} 27. Ne4 {[%clk 0:11:21.7]} 27... Kb7 $6
{[%clk 0:14:51.4][%c_effect
b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f8h8;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false] White will win the
bishop, but my goal was to simplify anyway [+7]} 28. Bxb6 {[%clk 0:11:16.3]}
28... cxb6 {[%clk 0:14:48.8]} 29. h4 {[%clk 0:10:30.2]} 29... Rh8 {[%clk
0:13:19.7]} 30. Ng5 {[%clk 0:10:23.2][%c_arrow
h4h5;keyPressed;none;from;h4;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false] Stockfish preferred a
simpler direct attack on the knight with h5, but I saw an impending fork [+4.9]}
30... Nf4 $4 {[%clk 0:13:08][%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]
This allows me to force trade one of their rooks [+9.3]} 31. Nf7 {[%clk
0:10:17.8]} 31... Rdf8 {[%clk 0:12:55.6]} 32. Nxh8 {[%clk 0:10:14]} 32... Rxh8
{[%clk 0:12:53.8]} 33. Rde1 {[%clk 0:09:52.9]} 33... Rh5 {[%clk 0:12:48.6]} 34.
Kd2 {[%clk 0:09:19.5]} 34... Kc6 {[%clk 0:12:24.2]} 35. Re4 {[%clk 0:08:51.3]}
35... Kd5 {[%clk 0:12:14.6]} 36. c4+ {[%clk 0:08:38]} 36... Kc5 {[%clk 0:11:51]}
37. d4+ {[%clk 0:07:32.7]} 37... exd4 {[%clk 0:11:46.5]} 38. Rxf4 {[%clk
0:07:26.7]} 38... Kxc4 {[%clk 0:11:43.8]} 39. b3+ {[%clk 0:07:15.3]} 39... Kb4
{[%clk 0:11:06.3]} 40. Rxd4+ {[%clk 0:07:10.4]} 40... Ka3 {[%clk 0:11:03]} 41.
Ra4+ {[%clk 0:06:53.2]} 41... Kb2 {[%clk 0:10:56.8]} 42. Rxa6 {[%clk 0:06:29.6]}
42... Rd5+ {[%clk 0:10:32.4]} 43. Ke3 {[%clk 0:06:15.2]} 43... Re5+ {[%clk
0:10:21.2]} 44. Kd4 {[%clk 0:05:58.5]} 44... Rh5 {[%clk 0:10:07.8]} 45. Rh2+
{[%clk 0:05:47.6]} 45... Kc1 {[%clk 0:10:00.3]} 46. Rxb6 {[%clk 0:05:39.1]}
46... Kd1 {[%clk 0:09:56.7]} 47. Rg6 {[%clk 0:05:26.2]} 47... Rxh4+ {[%clk
0:09:44.4]} 48. Rxh4 {[%clk 0:05:19.6]} 48... Ke1 {[%clk 0:09:40.9]} 49. Rh2
{[%clk 0:05:12.6]} 49... Kf1 {[%clk 0:09:38.6]} 50. Rb2 {[%clk
0:05:01.1][%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Winner,f1;square;f1;type;ResignBlack]
Black resigns [+M1]. GG $1} 1-0