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Chess openings

Opening family

Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense Lines and Variations

The Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense family contains 15 named lines in this opening book, spanning ECO C25. Use this page as the map, then open individual lines for exact move orders and diagrams.

Named lines
15
ECO coverage
C25
ECO volume
C (open games after 1.e4 e5 plus the French Defense)
Shortest line
C25 Vienna Gambit, with Max Lange Defense: 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4

How to study this family

White

The gambit side must turn time and activity into concrete threats; if the initiative fades, the pawn deficit matters.

Black

The defending side should return material if needed to finish development and neutralize the initiative.

Start with the shortest line, then branch to the variations that change the pawn structure or tactical target. Memorizing every branch before understanding the family plan is usually wasted work.

Main named lines

Deep theory branches

Start with the root lineDrill this family