Vienna Game: Stanley Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C26), reached after 5 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Continue from this position

4 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

3…Nxe4 3 lines
3…Bc5 2 lines
- C26 Eifel Gambit
- C25 Meitner-Mieses Gambit
3…Nf6 2 lines
- C28 Bronstein Gambit
- C28 Three Knights Variation
3…Bb4 1 line
- C26 Reversed Spanish

About this opening

Vienna Game: Stanley Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C26. 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 5 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4.

It belongs to the Vienna Game family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Stanley Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nc3 Nf6, 3.Bc4. From this position 4 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.