Vienna Gambit (C29) Opening Theory

Vienna Gambit: A Comprehensive Guide to the Aggressive King's Pawn Opening

1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 f4

This is a gambit in which white sacrifices a pawn to gain bold control over the center of the board.  The Vienna Gambit gains a slow advantage over time.

C29 Sub-variants:

Vienna gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 

Vienna gambit, Kaufmann variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Qe2 

Vienna gambit, Breyer variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Nf3 Be7

Vienna gambit, Paulsen attack 
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 

Vienna gambit, Bardeleben variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 f5

Vienna gambit, Heyde variation 
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 f5 6. d4 

Vienna gambit
 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. d3 

Vienna gambit, Wurzburger trap 
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. d3 Qh4+ 6. g3 Nxg3 7. Nf3 Qh5 8. Nxd5

Vienna gambit, Steinitz variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. d3

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Vienna Gambit Articles

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Vienna Gambit.

• Dangerous Chess Openings: The Vienna Gambit - Nice Article By GM Illingworth - w/ 8 Games as examples.
  
  
• Vienna Gambit (C29) Bibliography - Kenelworthian Blogspot - Lots of Links to Books and Courses
  
  
• Vienna Gambit Chess Opening for White - GM Igor Smirnov - Looks at the opening w/ Embedded Video Lesson as well.
  
  
• The Vienna Game- A How to Play Guide for White and Black - Chessable Blog Guide - Detailed w/ Main Lines, Sidelines and Model game.
  
  
• How To Play The Vienna Gambit - A Complete Guide For Beginners  - Chess.com Article w/embedded Video lesson
  
  

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Vienna Gambit LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• Vienna • Ideas: Intro - Part 1 (7 Chapter Study) The goal of this study is to get you started quickly by presenting 5 crucial lines you will face and the general ideas behind them.
• Vienna Gambit • Deepdive: Gambit Accepted - Part 2 (23 Chapter Study Interactive)
• Interactive Lesson - The Vienna Gambit - 9 Chapter Study ( 1900 hearts)
• Vienna Gambit Masterclass - 64 Chapter Study (Super In-depth) ( 100 hearts)
• Vienna Gambit • Deepdive - 25 Chapter Interactive Study (45 hearts)
  
  

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Games Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Vienna Gambit and see how it's played in practice.

Chessgames.com

• Vienna Gambit (C29) 1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 f4 - 1664 Games In Database 
• Vienna Gambit (C29) - 19 Annotated games

365chess.com

• C29: Vienna gambit 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 - 2896 Games - Broken into Sub Varients
  
  

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Vienna Gambit Video Lessons

Lessons

WIN WITH 1. E4 | The Vienna Gambit - 25 Min IM Rozman -  I analyze the Vienna Attack in full depth. It's excellent for beginners, intermediates, and advanced players.

Win With 1.e4, Aggressive Chess Opening | Vienna Gambit - 18 Min - Gm Igor Smirnov -  You will learn how to play against Black's common responses including 2...Nf6, which is known as the Falkbeer Variation, 2...Nc6 called the Max Lange Defense. You will also learn how to punish Black's mistakes which are the most-played, natural-looking moves

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Vienna Gambit! - 16 Min Chess Giant - Guide to the strategy and Tactics of this opening.

How to Play The Vienna Gambit | Grandmaster Repertoire - 32 Min GM Moulthun Ly -  I will be giving you my recommendations in the Vienna Gambit for White.
Vienna Gambit | Win 90% of your games! (Probably) - 8 Min Earl Haig Chess Club - This video introduces the Vienna Gambit, a chess opening strategy, and provides tips, tricks, and best Vienna Gambit traps to help players win more games. 

Chess Openings: Vienna Gambit - Forgotten but Tricky!! - 28 Min IM Miodrag Perunovic - Guide on Blacks 4 Main Responses.

Adventures of a Chess Noob

• ♟️ How To Play The Vienna Gambit - A Complete Guide For Beginners  - 24 Min -  Discuss the main variations of the Vienna Gambit and how to defend against them.
• Vienna Gambit (Max Lange) - 13 Video Playlist
• Vienna Gambit Declined (3... Nc6) - 24 Video Playlist
• Vienna Gambit Declined (3... d6) - 17 Video Playlist
• Vienna Gambit | Can I decline with my bishop (Bd6)? - 13 min - The Move played 1% of the time.

Black Play Against The Vienna Gambit

• How to WIN against the VIENNA GAMBIT - 20 Min - IM Alex Astaneh - We will talk about how to get an advantage straight out of the opening against of the most popular gambit lines in chess and the best Vienna Gambit responses for Black
• How to defeat the Vienna Gambit as black! - 7 Min NM Nelson Lopez - This video is beginner friendly and I explain lots of different opening variations so you will be prepared against whatever your opponent tries to play.
• How to Play AGAINST The Vienna Gambit | ChessKid - 7 Min - Chess Kid Video - FunMasterMike shares some clever tactics to crush the Vienna Gambit.

Game Videos w/ Analysis

Vienna Gambit - 55 Video playlist - kingscrusher (Famous games w/ detailed analysis)

Vienna Gambit || Bobby Fischer vs Steven Morrison || Simul 1964 - 11 Min
Ohhh! Vienna Gambit! Classical game analysis 3# - 12 Min
Master Class | Vienna Gambit | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 23 Min
Master Class | GM's Blunder Too, Vienna Gambit | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 25 Min
Schallopp vs. Gossip | Vienna Gambit - FM Aviv Friedman - 41 Min

The Budapest Gambit: A Swashbuckling Chess Adventure A51 - A52

  

The Budapest Gambit (Defense )
 A Comprehensive Resource

Intrigued by aggressive chess openings? Look no further than the Budapest Gambit, a daring gambit that injects excitement into your games from move one. This guide equips you with everything you need to master this dynamic opening, whether you're wielding White's central pawn control or wielding Black's potent piece play.

What is the Budapest Gambit?

With the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5, Black sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances. This gambit has allured enterprising players for decades, offering sharp, unbalanced battles that test your tactical skills and strategic vision.

Why Play the Budapest Gambit?

• Surprise your opponent: The Budapest Gambit is less common than other Queen's pawn openings, giving you an edge in preparation.
• Sharp and attacking play: If you crave dynamic positions, the Budapest Gambit delivers! Black enjoys active piece play and excellent attacking prospects.
• Deep strategic possibilities: Despite the early pawn sacrifice, the Budapest Gambit offers rich strategic opportunities for both sides.
  
  

Wikipedia Page  
(Sizable amount of Info Here covering this Gambit)

A51 Sub-variants:      Budapest defense declined

Budapest defense declined                    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5

Budapest, Fajarowicz variation            1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ne4

Budapest, Fajarowicz, Steiner variation    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ne4 4. Qc2

 

A52 Sub-variants:     Budapest Defense Accepted

Budapest Defence                           1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4

Budapest, Adler variation              1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3

Budapest, Rubinstein variation    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Bf4

Budapest, Alekhine variation         1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. e4

Budapest, Alekhine, Abonyi variation     1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. e4 Nxe5 5. f4 Nec6

Budapest, Alekhine variation, Balogh gambit    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. e4 d6

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Books & Courses (Free)

Internet Archive

• Budapest Gambit by Otto Borik ;  - 109 page PDF - A comprehensive exploration of the Budapest Gambit. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, Borik's insights will equip you to understand the opening's key concepts, variations, and strategic ideas.
  
  
• The Budapest Fajarowicz: The Fajarowicz-Richter Gambit in Action by Lev Gutman  - 289 Page PDF -  Delve deeper into the Fajarowicz variation with this in-depth book. Gutman analyzes key games and critical positions, helping you master this exciting line of the Budapest Gambit.

 

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Budapest Gambit Articles

The Budapest Gambit ignites dynamic battles on the chessboard, and a wealth of articles await you to explore its intricacies.

Beginner-Friendly Resources:

• The Budapest Gambit  - This guide by Simplify Chess delves into the opening with move-by-move explanations, making it easy to grasp the Budapest Gambit's core concepts. Learn about the three main variations and start building your understanding.
  
  
• Chess Opening Basics: The Budapest Gambit  - Chessable Blog Article - This article provides a solid introduction to the Budapest Gambit, outlining the basic opening moves and offering a general overview for beginner players.

Intermediate & Advanced Resources:

• Budapest Gambit – Chess Opening Guide (for White & Black)  - Chessable Blog Guide (Nicely Done) - Take a deeper dive with this Chessable Blog Guide! It explores variations, strategic plans, and model games, equipping you with a more comprehensive understanding of the Budapest Gambit.
  
  
• The Budapest Gambit: Fearless Chess Players Wanted  - ichess.net Guide - in-depth w/embedded Video - Very In-Depth Guide (Archived in Wayback Machine) This in-depth guide, archived on the Wayback Machine, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Budapest Gambit with an embedded video for enhanced learning.
  
  
• Svitlana's Smart Moves - The Budapest Gambit  -  Gain insights from WIM Svitlana Demchenko in this ChessBase article featuring a 23-minute video.
  

Additional Note:

• Refutation of the Budapest Gambit -  Gm Alex Colovic -  Short Article Talking about the easiest way to defuse this Gambit. This short article discusses ways to counter the Budapest Gambit. It can be a helpful tool for players facing the Budapest Gambit as White.

 

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PUZZLES and TRAPS

Sharpen Your Budapest Gambit Skills

wtharvy

Budapest Gambit A52 - 82 Puzzles 

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Indian Defense- Budapest Defence - 3928 Puzzles -  Challenge yourself with a vast pool of puzzles on LiChess, encompassing all variations of the Budapest Gambit. This is a fantastic resource to continuously improve your overall tactical awareness in the opening.

 

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Budapest Gambit Lichess Studies

LiChess Studies offer an interactive playground to delve into the Budapest Gambit's intricacies. Here are some exceptional studies curated to guide you through the opening's complexities:

• Budapest Gambit - Interactive:   - 21 Chapter Interactive Study (600 Hearts ) - In-Depth with bunches of the lines accepted and declined w/ 5 model games.
  
  
• The Budapest Gambit   - 8 Chapter Study (240 Hearts) Another well done short study. Great overview of the Gambit w/ section on how Engines play it.
  
  
• Budapest Gambit Games  - 29 Chapter Study  (All Games)
  
  
• Budapest Gambit, Games by Masters   - 6 Chapter Study (Heavily Annotated games)
  

New to Lichess studies?  These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Games Databases

Game databases are invaluable resources for studying the Budapest Gambit in action. Here are some prominent platforms to explore:

Chessgames.com

Budapest Gambit (A51) 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e5  - 418 games  (Budapest Gambit Declined)

Budapest Gambit (A52) 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 Ng4  - 1597 Games   (Budapest Gambit Accepted)

Budapest Gambit (A51-A52) - 3 Annotated Games

365Chess.com

A51: Budapest defence declined 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5  - 9600 Games 

  A52: Budapest defence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 - 6900 games 

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Budapest Gambit Video Lessons

Learn the Budapest Gambit from some of the best chess educators and channels with these comprehensive video lessons:

 

St. Louis Chess Club

• Exploring d4 | Budapest Gambit - GM Yasser Seirawan - 32 Min - A lecture exploring the opening choice d4 including the Budapest Gambit.
  
  
• The Budapest Gambit | Chess Openings Explained  - 61 Min - National Master Julian Proleiko goes over the Budapest Gambit, a defense against 1.d4. Lines are explored from least to most popular.
  
  
• Obscure 1.d4 Openings #2: Budapest & Benko Gambits - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 30 Min - Var Akobian teaches the kids two more obscure openings from 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4: the Budapest Gambit and the Benko Gambit .

 

The Budapest Gambit · Chess Openings  - 37 min Hanging Pawns - is quite a positional opening, in which pawn breaks are the most important factor.  

Simon Williams - The Exciting Budapest Gambit - 32 Min

How to play the Budapest Gambit | Main Ideas and Plans | Gambits | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 16 Min

Gambit a Pawn for Aggressive Piece Play! - GM James Plaskett - 11 Min - Talks about the main lines where Black always gets active piece play and compensation for the pawn being sacrificed early in the game.

I made the Budapest Gambit 100x MORE AGGRESSIVE - 43 Min - FM William Graif - Crazy, crazy, crazy sacrifices in this new chess opening variation of the Budapest Gambit! How to Play the Budapest Gambit | Grandmaster Repertoire - 20 Min - GM Moulton Li - recommendations in the Budapest Gambit.
Opening Basics #51: Budapest gambit - 37 Min - Jims Chess Channel - A comprehensive guide to the Budapest Gambit. It explores various lines and strategies, including the Adler and Rubinstein variations, and highlights the importance of piece activity and pawn structure. It also analyzes historical and modern games, demonstrating tactical ideas and common pitfalls in the gambit.

Boris Altermans Gambit Guide (Budapest Gambit) 
   Part 1 - 35 Min   ,    Part 2 - 28 Min ,     Part 3 - 33 Min
 

IM Miodrag Perunovic

• Chess Openings: Aggressive Budapest Gambit for Black!! 4.Bf4 - 37 Min - comprehensive guide to the Budapest Gambit, an aggressive opening for Black against 1.d4. , covers key ideas and strategies behind this gambit, including various traps and tactical motifs
• Fajarowicz Gambit - A little-known Tactical Powerhouse to Dominate 1.d4 - 40 Min - in-depth look at the Fajarowicz Gambit, a variation of the Budapest Gambit. This opening is known for its aggressive and tactical nature.
• Aggressive Budapest Gambit for Black!! - Sidelines Concluded - 20 Min - Several example games and positions to illustrate the effectiveness of the Budapest Gambit. He also discusses common mistakes and pitfalls that players should avoid when playing this opening.
• Fajarowicz variation | Chess Opening for Black - Ideas & Traps - 20 Min - Explains the main lines and variations of the Fajarowicz Gambit, demonstrating several example games and positions to illustrate its effectiveness.
• Aggressive Budapest Gambit for Black!! - 4.Nf3 - 23 Min -  A comprehensive guide to the Budapest Gambit, an aggressive opening for Black against 1.d4. The video, which has 5.8K views, covers key ideas and strategies

 

Budapest Gambit Traps

Opening Traps #3: Kieninger Trap - Albin Counter Gambit - 5 Min

Simple and Deadly Traps in the Budapest Gambit - 15 Min - Im Eric Rosen -  in-depth look at various traps and tactical motifs in the Budapest Gambit

Budapest Gambit Traps: Tricks to Win Fast | Best Checkmate Moves, Strategy & Ideas - 7 Min

5 Best Chess Opening Traps in the Budapest Gambit - 10 Min

Even More Tricks and Traps in the Budapest Gambit - 20 Min IM Rosen -   Explains how White can develop the king to e4 before move 10 and still be surprisingly okay, as well as what happens when White is greedy with 4.Qd4.

9 CRUSHING Budapest Gambit Traps - 5 Min  

Budapest Declined The Wandering King Trap - 4 Min

Budapest Declined Relative Pin Trap - 3 Min

Budapest - Opening Up the Floodgates - 3 min

Budapest - Hanging in Budapest - 3 Min

Budapest - The Fajorowitz Theme Trap - 3 Min

Budapest Fajorowitz - The Passing Fad Trap - 2 Min

Budapest Fajorowitz - The Clammy Sammy Trap - 4 Min

Budapest Fajorowitz - The Faj Queen Trap - 5 Min

Budapest - Another Hungary Black Trap - 3 Min

Budapest Hungary Horses - 3 Min

Budapest - White Holds the Pawn - 5 Min

Budapest - The Black Pawn Overload - 3 Min

Budapest - Queen on the Run - 4 Min

Budapest - Family Fork - 3Min

Budapest The Pest Control Trap 3 min

Budapest - Finally Winning a Piece 5 Min

Budapest The Poisonous Bait Trap - 3 min

Budapest Knights Fork Tango - 4 Min

Budapest Kieninger Trap - 3 Min

Budapest - Glutton for Punishment - 3 Min

Budapest - Unsound But Only Natural - 3 Min

 
Budapest Gambit Game Videos (w/ Analysis)

Playlists

• Budapest Gambit   - 9 Video Playlist  - IM Eric Rosen
• Budapest Gambit - Chess Opening - 35 Video Playlist - kingscrusher

Game Videos

Beating the Budapest Gambit | Blitz Game - 7 Min  (Model game Against Budapest)

Budapest Gambit: Attacking with Geometry - 7 Min IM Rosen

A Brilliant Budapest Gambit - Rubinstein vs. Vidmar - 15 Min

Chess Master Blitz...Fajarowicz Gambit as Black!! - 31 Mins  (Several Games) -   Im Miodrag Perunovic -  features live blitz games to help viewers learn how to use the Fajarowicz Gambit correctly against real players of all levels.

Crush Your Opponents With The Evil Budapest Gambit - PROchess League - 10 Min 

Longer Chess Games #51 A Lesson in the Budapest Gambit - 62 Min -Ginger GM

"The greatest compliment one can pay to the player of a gambit
 is to accept it." - Emanuel Lasker