Library/Openings/Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense/Steinitz Gambit/Paulsen Defense ECO C25
Opening· 10 plies

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Paulsen Defense

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C25), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d6.

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Paulsen Defense ECO C25
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Black rook
Black bishop
Black king
Black bishop
Black knight
Black rook
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black knight
Black pawn
White pawn
White pawn
Black pawn
Black queen
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White king
White pawn
White pawn
White rook
White bishop
White queen
White bishop
White knight
White rook
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End of this line

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About this opening

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, Paulsen Defense is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C25. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 10 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 d6.

It belongs to the Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Steinitz Gambit → Paulsen Defense line). The immediate parent line is Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: Steinitz Gambit, transitioned via 5…d6.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nc3 Nc6, 3.f4 exf4, 4.d4 Qh4+, 5.Ke2 d6. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.