Chess Openings Lab
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Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation

The Paulsen Variation is 2...Nc6 3.g3, where White fianchettoes against Black's knight setup instead of the more common Bc4 or Nf3. White plans Bg2, Nge2 and castling, and Black can expand with ...a5, develop with ...Bc5, or follow with ...Nf6.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3
ECO
C25
Engine
−0.06 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
767 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with Bg2 and Nge2, keeping the f-pawn free for a later f4 push.
  • If Black puts the bishop on c5, Na4 can chase it and gain the bishop pair.
  • Castle short and add h3 to keep Black's light-squared bishop off g4.
  • Use d3 to hold e4 and keep the long diagonal open for the g2 bishop.

Black

  • ...a5 is the engine's top choice, gaining queenside space and giving the bishop room.
  • Play ...Bc5 and ...d6, keeping the bishop active against f2 and the e5 pawn secure.
  • If Na4 hits the bishop, ...Bd4 keeps it centralized until White trades.
  • ...Nf6 and ...Bc5 can transpose to the Mieses lines with ...d5 ideas.

Plans and pawn structure

This is a slow positional game. White's plan is Bg2, Nge2, short castling, d3 and possibly f4 to open the f-file. Black's plan is ...a5, ...Bc5, ...d6 and ...Nf6, with castling and a later ...d5 or ...f5 break. The c3 knight sometimes heads to a4 to swap off Black's bishop. In the sample, White did better at higher ratings, where the slow setup is handled with patience.

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 −0.06: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.06 3...a5 4.Nge2 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.O-O
  2. −0.05 3...Bc5 4.Na4 d6 5.d3 Bd4 6.Nf3
  3. 0.00 3...Nf6 4.Bg2 Bc5 5.Na4 Be7 6.Nc3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

767 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.6%.

under 120044.4%
1200–159946.4%
1600–199958.5%
2000 and up52.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Paulsen Variation, Mariotti Gambit3...Bc5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, use the quiet start to develop with ...Bc5 or gain space with ...a5. Keep the bishop away from Na4 tricks by retreating to d4 or b6. Do not rush ...d5 before your pieces support it, and castle before opening the center.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Bc5 5.Nge2 d5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation?

The Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3. Its ECO code is C25.

Is the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.06 at depth 20, which is level. In 767 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.6%. A quiet, positional choice for White players who like maneuvering, and Black has easy development.

What is the main idea of the Vienna Game: Paulsen Variation?

White uses a g3 fianchetto against Black's ...Nc6 setup. Both sides develop slowly, with White aiming for f4 and Black for ...a5, ...Bc5 and a later central break.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is a5, with Bc5 and Nf6 close behind. ...a5 gains queenside space and gives the c5 bishop a retreat square on a7.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.