---

The Vienna Game is a great opening, and my favourite to play with White. Curiously, I don’t tend to play AGAINST the Vienna that often, but when I do, I always get a smile! I had this game recently against a slightly higher-rated British player and I used my usual anti-Vienna approach!

Firstly, play Nf6 on move 2 (Falkbeer Variation) to entice White into playing the Vienna Gambit (3. f4), and then drag the game into the Main Line (3… d5), and then the Bardeleben Variation against White’s Paulsen Attack, which is the most frequent way that White will play the Main Line (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 f5). As I discovered in my compilation of all f4/f5 chess openings, the Bardeleben Variation in the Vienna Game: Main Line has a win odds ratio of 1.31 for Black at the beginner-intermediate level, which is amazing! Stockfish evaluation of the position at high depth is either equal, or very slightly favouring Black.

The basic idea for Black in this position is that we want to prevent White from holding onto the centre and their e5-pawn. If White manages to place a pawn on d4 defending e5, they can consolidate behind their centre, develop, and then launch an attack. Indeed, this is why when playing White in the position, the Heyde Variation (which is the immediate d4) is my preferred approach, even though Stockfish evaluates it as less accurate.

In this game, White plays (6. d3), the most accurate response, but it now allows Black a simple tactical plan. The d-pawn blocks the vision of White’s queen on f3 of their c3-knight. Which means after (6… Nxc3), they must recapture with their b-pawn (7. bxc3), doubling the pawns on the c-file and damaging the pawn structure. And then, to prevent White from developing a strong centre complex of pawns, we play (7… d4)!

At the end of move 10, we see the advantage of the Bardeleben Variation! White’s queenside defences are damaged, and they’ve lost control of their e-pawn and e-file, while their king is still exposed in the centre!

I don’t necessarily play the next part of the middlegame accurately, with my mistake (18… c6) allowing White’s queen to infiltrate into my position. However, the position is difficult to play for White, and they were never able to make significant headway, with their clock running down to only a couple of minutes. In comparison, I remained comfortably over 10 minutes for much of the game (this was a 15+10 game of rapid). It wasn’t that I was playing fast – it was simply that the position was easier for Black to play as my king was largely safe, while White’s king remained exposed in the centre with it being forced to move and lose the right the castle.

On move 25 and White having less than 2 minutes left on the clock, the mood changes. White pulls their queen out of the attack, probably thinking that they needed the extra piece so king defence would be easier to calculate under time pressure. This gives me an opportunity to counterattack, and on move 29, I made a bold gambit (29… Rxe4!?), trading one of my rooks for White’s bishop! I had calculated that White had found a powerful attacking idea with their previous move (29. Be4) – once White attacked down the h-file with a queen or rook, I would have serious problems with king defences given the pins. This now neutralised that potential idea!

I knew in the game that this was probably a mistake. On analysis, Stockfish labels this a blunder as White technically has a [+M20] forced checkmate line! However, that required White to not capture my rook, and immediately find Qf6+. They don’t, and my gambit now pays off!

With less than a minute on the clock, White could have forced a draw by threefold repetition, but perhaps they thought they still had a win. My goal with the rook-sacrifice was to clear the centre of the board of pawns, stripping bare the files and fully exposing White’s king. White had found an absolute fork of my king and bishop and opted to take the material (33. Qxb7??). This was the final blunder – very understandable with 37 seconds left.

I don’t find and play the quickest or neatest checkmate, but in the game, I was confident that I had a mating net. It was a bit inelegant, but after a short shuffle, I ladder-mate White’s king on the h-file. GG!

The big takeaway from this game is to try to play the Bardeleben Variation in the Vienna Game Main Line, as an anti-Vienna approach with Black! It’s effective, fun, and will improve your skills as a Vienna Game player!

Game: https://www.chess.com/game/live/103201906599

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.03.03"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Kryten262"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[CurrentPosition "7k/pQ5p/2p3p1/1p6/7q/6r1/2P4K/2R2R2 w - -"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C29"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Vienna-Game-Main-Line-Paulsen-Bardeleben-Variation"]
[UTCDate "2024.03.03"]
[UTCTime "10:48:18"]
[WhiteElo "1407"]
[BlackElo "1352"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[StartTime "10:48:18"]
[EndDate "2024.03.03"]
[EndTime "11:23:40"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/103201906599"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/97197390.fac3eed0.50x50o.df438769c7fd@2x.png"]
[WhiteCountry "164"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723@2x.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:10]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:06.8]} 2. Nc3 {[%clk 0:15:16.1]} 2...
Nf6 {[%clk 0:15:11.8]} 3. f4 {[%clk 0:15:13.7]} 3... d5 {[%clk 0:15:16.7] Vienna
Game Main Line} 4. fxe5 {[%clk 0:15:18.2]} 4... Nxe4 {[%clk 0:15:25.1]} 5. Qf3
{[%clk 0:15:19.5]} 5... f5 {[%clk 0:15:34.2] Paulsen Attack, Bardeleben
Variation. At high depth, this is either equal or slightly favouring Black [0.00
to -0.2]. However, it can be difficult for White to play the position $1 Ideas for
Black: seek to prevent White from keeping hold of the centre, so, prevent White
from getting a pawn onto d4 if possible, keep an eye out for opportunities which
allow Qh4+, develop pieces and castle.} 6. d3 {[%clk 0:14:26.8] The engine
considers this the best move, but it allows Black a simple tactical plan...}
6... Nxc3 {[%clk 0:15:40.9]} 7. bxc3 {[%clk 0:14:25.7]} 7... d4 {[%clk
0:15:49.7] And this denies White's access to the d4 square, which weakens their
e5-pawn. If the pawn is ever captured, White's king becomes very exposed.} 8.
Ne2 $6 {[%clk 0:13:41][%c_effect
e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f1e2;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false] This is a difficult
position for White to play if they aren't familiar with the theory, which is why
the Bardeleben Variation is a great anti-Vienna approach for Black $1 [-0.7]} 8...
Nc6 {[%clk 0:15:37.1]} 9. cxd4 $6 {[%clk 0:12:58.7][%c_effect
d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a1b1;keyPressed;none;from;a1;opacity;0.8;to;b1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b1;persistent;false]} 9... Nxd4 {[%clk
0:15:43.3]} 10. Nxd4 {[%clk 0:12:34.2]} 10... Qxd4 {[%clk 0:15:51.5] White is
almost seemingly forced down this trade sequence that is advantageous for Black
[-1] $1} 11. Rb1 {[%clk 0:11:58.6]} 11... Qxe5+ {[%clk 0:15:58.1]} 12. Be2 {[%clk
0:11:27.9][%c_arrow
f3e2;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;shift;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false] In this position,
Stockfish has lost faith in White's position and actually recommends a trade of
queens $1} 12... Bd6 {[%clk 0:15:08.9]} 13. Bb2 $6 {[%clk 0:10:31.1][%c_effect
b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f3e3;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false] An inaccuracy -
trading queens is still White's best approach.} 13... Bb4+ $2 {[%clk
0:15:02.4][%c_arrow
e5a5;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I don't find the correct move (Qa5+
which comes with an absolute fork of the king and a-pawn) and White has a
technical evaluation advantage [+0.3], but I would argue that Black clearly has
plenty of compensation $1} 14. Kd1 {[%clk 0:09:29.2]} 14... Bc3 {[%clk 0:15:02.8]}
15. Re1 {[%clk 0:08:21.3]} 15... O-O {[%clk 0:14:53.7]} 16. Bxc3 {[%clk
0:07:37.7]} 16... Qxc3 {[%clk 0:15:02.1]} 17. Qd5+ {[%clk 0:07:15.4]} 17... Kh8
{[%clk 0:15:05.2]} 18. Bf3 {[%clk 0:06:48.2]} 18... c6 $2 {[%clk
0:14:31.9][%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c3f6;keyPressed;none;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] This was an
inaccurate move as it allows White the opportunity to infiltrate into my
position, which forces me to put my f8-rook in a very passive square [+1.8]} 19.
Qd6 {[%clk 0:06:27.6]} 19... Rg8 {[%clk 0:14:02]} 20. h3 $2 {[%clk
0:04:35.6][%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e1e7;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] White starting to run
low on time and couldn't find the move. The best move here is Re7 - rooks on the
second and seventh ranks are powerful $1} 20... Qf6 $2 {[%clk 0:13:36.1][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c3a5;keyPressed;none;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false] Right idea, wrong
execution [+2.6]. My thoughts were that I needed to get rid of White's powerful
queen. Qa5 $37 Qd8 was a better way to achieve that.} 21. Qb4 $2 {[%clk
0:03:38.8][%c_arrow
d6f6;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] However, this was \"tactically\"
correct from a psychological perspective as White had clearly demonstrated an
aversion to trading queens in this game. I was fairly sure that trading queens
was White's best move and this move results in White yielding much of their
advantage [+2.6 $37 +0.1]} 21... b5 $2 {[%clk 0:12:44.3][%c_arrow
g7g5;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false][%c_effect
b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is somewhat complicated position
to play $1 [+1.8] Again, right idea, wrong execution. My thoughts were to take up
space on the board and to aim to connect my rooks and give and opportunity for
my bishop to develop.} 22. Qc5 $2 {[%clk 0:02:56.2][%c_effect
c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b4e7;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] White's best approach
is to trade queens, difficult to see and seemingly tactically unwise [0.00].}
22... Bb7 $2 {[%clk 0:12:40.9][%c_arrow
c8d7;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d7;persistent;false][%c_effect
b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Complicated - Bd7 is better according
to the engine as after Qe7, we have Qd4 and the queen defends the bishop...
[+1.8]} 23. Rf1 $2 {[%clk 0:02:11.7][%c_arrow
e1e7;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false][%c_effect
f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White needed to infiltrate and
attack, but it's difficult to commit. Note also that Stockfish wavers between
sacrificing the queen and launching an attack between moves, which are
tactically incompatible plans - caution is needed when interpreting engine
evaluations $1 [0.00]} 23... g6 {[%clk 0:12:05.2]} 24. g4 {[%clk 0:01:43.6]} 24...
fxg4 {[%clk 0:11:50] White's bishop is pinned to the rook, so if White was
aiming for a discovered attack on my queen, it wasn't going to work [0.00].} 25.
hxg4 {[%clk 0:01:43.2]} 25... Rge8 {[%clk 0:10:11.9]} 26. Qf2 $6 {[%clk
0:01:30.9][%c_arrow
f3g2;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g2;persistent;false][%c_effect
f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White draws back their queen to
avoid a counterattack that they might have difficulty defending against under
time pressure... [-1]} 26... Qe6 $6 {[%clk 0:08:50.3][%c_arrow
f6d6;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false][%c_effect
e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Here, Stockfish is being a bit
judgey as it sees a bunch of minor shuffling moves as the most \"accurate\". I
think this move is fine [-0.2] as I form a battery, and attack White's a-pawn.}
27. a4 {[%clk 0:01:23]} 27... Qa2 {[%clk 0:08:27.1][%c_arrow
a2b1;keyPressed;none;from;a2;opacity;0.8;to;b1;persistent;false,a2a4;keyPressed;none;from;a2;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b1;persistent;false,a4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a4;persistent;false]
Finally, I felt that I managed to get an attack in since the middlegame $1} 28.
Rc1 $2 {[%clk 0:01:20][%c_arrow
d1d2;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false][%c_effect
c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The best move was the difficult to
see Kd2, connecting the rooks and giving the king more movement freedom. Pulling
the rook against the king is a mistake [-1.5].} 28... Qxa4 {[%clk 0:08:23.5]}
29. Be4 {[%clk 0:01:02.2] Fantastic move by White...} 29... Rxe4 $5 {[%clk
0:08:08.7][%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false,f8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f8;persistent;false][%c_arrow
e8f8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;f8;persistent;false] ... so with
them having only a minute left on the clock, I decided to sacrifice my rook for
their bishop $1 White actually had a pretty good position with a powerful upcoming
attack down the h-file by pinning my h-pawn. Curiously, Stockfish thinks that
sacrificing both my rooks for White's queen is best (Rf8 Qxf8+ Rf8 Rxf8+ Kg7),
but I didn't even consider this. This move is technically a blunder [+M20], but
White had to see the immediate Qf6+ $1} 30. dxe4 $4 {[%clk 0:00:27.9][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight
e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false] Super natural move,
but it's a blunder and I now have the advantage $1 [-0.3]} 30... Qxe4 {[%clk
0:08:17.2][%c_arrow
a8d8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false] Stockfish thinks that
Rd8+ immediately is better [-0.3 $37 +0.2], but I thought that White could
probably hide their king with the e-pawn still on the board, so I opted to
capture it first.} 31. Qf6+ {[%clk 0:00:33.8]} 31... Kg8 {[%clk 0:08:20.6]} 32.
Qf7+ {[%clk 0:00:36.3][%c_arrow
f7g8;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,f7b7;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;b7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false,b7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b7;persistent;false]
White's best approach is to force a draw by threefold repetition, but they now
make a mistake through material greed $1} 32... Kh8 {[%clk 0:08:27.7]} 33. Qxb7 $4
{[%clk 0:00:37.8][%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f7f6;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,b7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b7;persistent;false]
A blunder $1 White saw the fork but has now placed their queen on a square that
cannot provide defence. With the opened centre files and White's exposed king, I
was confident that I probably had a mating net $1} 33... Qxg4+ {[%clk 0:08:29.3]}
(33... Rd8+ {[%c_arrow
d8d1;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false,e4e1;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false,e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false]
I was pretty sure that I had a checkmate, but didn't see the quickest one $1 😅 I
was trying to play quickly so that White wouldn't have time to think on my turn
- at this point they had 37 seconds left on the clock $1} 34. Qd7 {[%c_arrow
e4e1;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false]}
34... Rxd7# {[%c_arrow
d7d1;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false,e4e1;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false,e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false]})
34. Kd2 {[%clk 0:00:25.3] Capture White's last pawn that could block check...}
34... Qd4+ {[%clk 0:08:20.4] Making sure that White's king doesn't escape
towards the queenside...} 35. Ke2 {[%clk 0:00:20.7]} 35... Re8+ {[%clk
0:08:27.4]} 36. Kf3 {[%clk 0:00:26.5]} 36... Re3+ {[%clk 0:07:48.4]} 37. Kg2
{[%clk 0:00:29.8]} 37... Qg4+ {[%clk 0:07:51]} 38. Kf2 {[%clk 0:00:16.7] As I
was just planning a simple ladder mate, I didn't see Re2# $1} 38... Qf4+ {[%clk
0:07:35.2]} 39. Kg1 {[%clk 0:00:20.4]} 39... Rg3+ {[%clk 0:07:43.7]} 40. Kh2
{[%clk 0:00:25.6]} 40... Qh4# {[%clk 0:07:53.3][%c_effect
h8;square;h8;type;Winner,h2;square;h2;type;CheckmateWhite] GG $1} 0-1