Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Reversed Spanish

The Reversed Spanish is 2...Nf6 3.Bc4 Bb4, where Black pins the c3 knight like a Ruy Lopez with colors switched. Black's idea is ...Bxc3 followed by ...Nxe4, since the c3 knight guards e4; White wants to keep the center and use the bishop pair.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bb4
ECO
C26
Engine
+0.19 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,573 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Nf3 develops and defends e5 attacks; after ...Bxc3 dxc3 White gets the bishop pair and an open d-file.
  • Nd5 jumps out of the pin and trades knights, keeping the bishop on d5 or b3.
  • a3 asks the bishop to decide; after ...Ba5, castle and play Re1 with c3 ideas.
  • With doubled c-pawns, use Be3, Nd2 and f3 or f4 to support the center.

Black

  • ...Bxc3 dxc3 gives White doubled c-pawns, then ...d6 and ...Qe7 build a solid center.
  • After Nd5, play ...Nxd5 and ...c6 to gain central space with ...d5.
  • Against a3, retreat ...Ba5 and castle, then ...c6 and ...d5 when ready.
  • Use ...Be6 to trade off White's strong c4 bishop and ease the pressure on f7.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black takes on c3, White has the bishop pair and doubled c-pawns, and Black plays for ...d6, ...Qe7 and ...Be6 to trade White's strong bishop. White plans Be3, Nd2 and castling, using the open d-file and the bishops. In the Nd5 line, Black gets central play with ...c6 and ...d5, and White's bishop retreats to b3. The game stays balanced and positional.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.19: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.19 4.Nf3 Bxc3 5.dxc3 d6 6.Be3 Qe7
  2. +0.18 4.Nd5 Nxd5 5.Bxd5 c6 6.Bb3 d5
  3. +0.17 4.a3 Ba5 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,573 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.5%.

under 120047.0%
1200–159951.9%
1600–199951.6%
2000 and up64.7%

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

How to play against it

As White, play Nf3 or Nd5 and do not fear the doubled pawns: the bishop pair and open d-file compensate. Keep the e4 pawn protected after ...Bxc3, with d3 or Nf3. Avoid letting Black play ...Nxe4 for free while the c3 knight is pinned.

Questions

What are the moves of the Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Reversed Spanish?

The Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Reversed Spanish starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bb4. Its ECO code is C26.

Is the Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Reversed Spanish good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.19 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,573 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.5%. A solid positional choice for Black that leads to balanced middlegames, and White needs to handle doubled c-pawns well.

What is the main idea of the Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Reversed Spanish?

Black pins the c3 knight and threatens ...Bxc3 and ...Nxe4. White can allow doubled pawns for the bishop pair or escape with Nd5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with Nd5 and a3 close behind. Nf3 develops and defends while preparing to castle, accepting doubled pawns after ...Bxc3.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.