Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense
The Max Lange Defense of the Vienna Game is 2...Nc6, mirroring White's knight and defending e5. White picks among Bc4, Nf3, the g3 fianchetto and gambits with f4 or d4, while Black usually follows with ...Nf6 and fights for d5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6
- ECO
- C25
- Engine
- +0.09 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 7,886 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play Bc4, the top engine choice, and after ...Nf6 follow with d3 and Nf3 for a calm Italian-style setup.
- Nf3 leads to Four Knights positions; after ...Nf6, d4 opens the center.
- The g3 fianchetto creates the Paulsen Variation, with the bishop pressing d5.
- h3 is a waiting move that keeps ...Bg4 away and keeps options for f4.
Black
- Develop with ...Nf6, then pin with ...Bb4 against the c3 knight that guards e4.
- After Bc4 and d3, play ...d5 when ready; exd5 and ...Nxd5 frees the game.
- In the Nf3 and d4 lines, take with ...exd4 and recapture to keep the pieces active.
- Watch for early f4 gambits: answer with ...exf4 or ...d5 to keep the center under control.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a flexible crossroads. White can keep the game quiet with Bc4, d3 and Nf3, building toward d4 or f4. Black develops with ...Nf6, ...Bb4 and castles, aiming for ...d5 as the main freeing break. In the Nf3 and d4 lines the center opens, and the d4 knight trade with Nxc6 leaves Black with doubled c-pawns but the half-open b-file. In the g3 lines the play is slower and White's bishop eyes d5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.09: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.09 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bb4 5.Nf3 d5
- +0.08 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4
- +0.01 3.h3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Bb4 5.Bd3 O-O
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
7,886 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Stanley Variation, Three Knights Variation3.Bc4 · 1,913 games
- Paulsen Variation3.g3 · 767 games
- Pierce Gambit, Rushmere Attack3.f4 · rare
- Philidor Countergambit3.d4 · rare
- Stanley Variation, Bronstein Gambit3.Bc4 · rare
- Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit3.g3 · rare
How to play against it
As White, choose a structure you know: Bc4 with d3 is solid, Nf3 with d4 is open. Avoid an early f4 unless you have studied the gambit lines. Keep an eye on ...Bb4 and ...Nxe4 tricks against the c3 knight.
Questions
What are the moves of the Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense?
The Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6. Its ECO code is C25.
Is the Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.09 at depth 20, which is level. In 7,886 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.8%. A flexible, sound reply for Black players who like classical development, and White keeps many choices without big risks.
What is the main idea of the Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense?
Black develops a knight to protect e5 and keep options open. White chooses between a quiet Bc4 setup, a central Nf3 and d4, or a g3 fianchetto, and Black aims for ...Nf6 and ...d5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Bc4, with Nf3 and h3 close behind. Bc4 develops toward f7 and keeps the option of d3 and Nf3 for a solid setup.
Related lines
- Vienna Game
- Stanley Variation
- Vienna Gambit
- Anderssen Defense
- Falkbeer Variation
- Omaha Gambit
- How to beat the Vienna Gameguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.