Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack
The Spielmann Attack is the 4.d3 setup after 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5, a Vienna move order that lands in Bishop's Opening territory. White keeps e4 safe and can choose f4 or Nf3, while Black aims for ...c6 and ...d5 or a solid ...d6 with ...a5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3
- ECO
- C26
- Engine
- −0.07 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 2,247 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- f4 is the attacking idea: with e4 guarded by d3, White can open the f-file against Black's king.
- Nf3 and short castling, as in the top engine lines, is calmer and leads to Italian-type play.
- Na4 hunts the c5 bishop for the bishop pair, as the third engine line shows; ...Bb4+ and c3 follow.
Black
- ...c6 prepares ...d5 to gain the center and hit the c4 bishop.
- ...a5 gives the c5 bishop a safe retreat and stops White's queenside expansion with b4.
- ...d6 holds e5 but allows Na4 to chase the bishop, so be ready for ...Bb4+ and ...d5.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a quiet center: e4 and d3 against e5, with bishops on c4 and c5 facing f7 and f2. White decides between f4 for kingside play and a slow Nf3, castling and a4 plan. Black wants ...c6 and ...d5 if White is slow, or ...Be6 to trade the c4 bishop. The bishop on c5 is Black's best piece, so a timely ...a5 or ...a6 keeps it safe from Na4 and b4.
Where the engine's main line heads: Open game: e4 against e5. An open game: e4 against e5. Development, the f7 and f2 squares, and the d4 or d5 break are what count.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.07: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.07 4...c6 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.a4
- −0.06 4...a5 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Ne2
- −0.01 4...d6 5.Na4 Bb4+ 6.c3 d5 7.exd5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
2,247 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, give the c5 bishop a retreat before White plays Na4 or b4. If White plays f4, keep the center closed with ...d6 rather than opening the f-file for White's rook. When White is slow, ...c6 and ...d5 is the active plan.
Questions
What are the moves of the Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack?
The Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3. Its ECO code is C26.
Is the Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.07 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,247 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.8%. A calm, flexible system for White that rewards understanding over memory; Black equalizes with patient play.
What is the main idea of the Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack?
White keeps e4 solid with d3 and chooses between an f4 attack and quiet Italian-style play. Black plays ...c6 and ...d5 or ...a5 to keep the c5 bishop safe and stay solid.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is c6, with a5 and d6 close behind. 4...c6 prepares ...d5, so Black can claim the center and push the c4 bishop back.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.