Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nc3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4

Vienna Game rd bd qd kd bd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd nd pd bl pl nl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl bl ql kl nl rl Vienna Game 3. Bc4 This sequence of opening moves is, objectively speaking, not an effective way for white to maintain any advantage. White's development of these two pieces is considered unharmonious. In particular, the bishop on c4 is prone to being attacked. However in practice, black may respond with the 'copycat variation' 3... Bc5, and after 4.Qg4, white has a definite advantage. From there, white can play with a plan of f4 if there is no knight on f3 blocking the f-pawn. If for example black plays 3... Nf6 4.d3 Na5, then white can consider 5.Nge2, which creates imbalances in the position and reserves the possibility of f4 later. Theory table . 1. e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4 3 4 5 6789 Bc4Nf6 d3Na5 Nge2Nxc4 dxc4Bc5= ...Bc5 Nf3Nf6 d3d6 Bg5h6= ... Bc5Qg4 Qf6Nd5 Qxf2+Kd1 Kf8Nh3 h5Qg5 Qd4d3 Be7 +/= References Vienna Game