The Vienna Gambit for White – the whole course to read – Learning studio

Starting position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5

The Vienna Gambit is the sharp road of the Vienna Game: after 2.Nc3 Nf6 White pushes 3.f4 against the e-pawn, and the best reply 3...d5 leads to the main line 4.fxe5 Nxe4. White has a pawn on e5 that takes space from Black and a half-open f-file; Black has a strong knight on e4 and free play in the centre. After 5.Nf3 White develops quickly, often with Qe2, and frequently castles long – then the kingside pawns march forward. Stockfish sees the position as almost level, with a small plus for Black in the main line; White is not playing for a refutation here but for a clear, active position with plans of his own. The course rests on 685 games. Black's main roads after 5.Nf3 are 5...Be7 (the Breyer Variation), 5...Nc6, 5...Bg4 (the Kaufmann Variation), 5...Bc5 and 5...Bb4.

The ideas

The pawn on e5 is the heart of the position: it takes the square f6 from Black's knight and kingside space from Black.
The knight on e4 is Black's best piece – White often trades it with Nxe4 or lets it take on c3 and recaptures with the d-pawn.
After dxc3 White has open lines for the bishop on c1 and the rooks: Bf4, Qe2 and O-O-O are the typical set-up.
With long castling h4 often follows: White advances on the kingside while Black seeks counterplay on the queenside with c5 and the queen on a5.
Against the bishop sorties Bb4 and Bg4 White stays calm: Qe2 guards e5, and Bd2 takes the sting out of the bishop on b4.

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Chapter 1: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7

Line 1: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Qe2 Nxc3 7.dxc3 c5 8.Bf4 Nc6 9.O-O-O Be6 10.h4 h6 11.Kb1 Qa5 12.g4 d4 13.c4 O-O-O 14.g5 hxg5 15.Nxg5

4.fxe5: You take the pawn and open the f-file. Stockfish chooses 4.fxe5 (-0.07) clearly ahead of 4.Nf3 (-0.3); its line shows how it goes on: 4...Nxe4 – Black's knight jumps into the centre at once.
4…Nxe4: Almost always the reply: the knight stands actively on e4 and attacks c3. Black does not win the pawn back but relies on development and the centre.
5.Nf3: The course's main line: the knight guards e5 and prevents a queen check on h4. Stockfish has 5.Nf3 (-0.06) just ahead of 5.Qf3 (-0.11) – only five hundredths. The players of the collection choose 5.Nf3 in six games out of ten.
5…Be7: The Breyer Variation, the most common reply. The bishop prepares castling. Stockfish itself prefers 5...Bc5 (-0.14); 5...Be7 (-0.08) is the second choice and 5...Be6 (0) the third.
6.Qe2: The queen attacks the knight on e4 and guards e5. Stockfish rates 6.Qe2 (-0.05) ahead of 6.d4 (-0.11); its line 6...Nxc3 7.dxc3 c5 8.Qf2 shows the plan: after the trade the queen goes to f2 and White builds up with b3 and Bd3.
6…Nxc3: Black trades the attacked knight. Stockfish sees 6...Nxc3 (0) as the best choice, ahead of 6...f5 (+0.05) and 6...Bf5 (+0.07).
7.dxc3: Recapture with the d-pawn – that opens the diagonal for the bishop on c1 and the d-file for the rook. Stockfish is sure: 7.dxc3 (0) against 7.bxc3 (-0.72), more than half a pawn of difference.
7…c5: Black seeks space on the queenside. For Stockfish 7...c5 (-0.01) is the best reply, just ahead of 7...O-O (+0.03) and 7...Nd7 (+0.06).
8.Bf4: The bishop guards e5 and prepares long castling. Here the course's move is not Stockfish's first choice: it puts 8.Qf2 (0) ahead, then 8.Be3 (-0.08); 8.Bf4 gives away about two tenths. The course teaches it because the players of the collection choose it in eight games out of ten – it leads to the clear plan with O-O-O.
8…Nc6: Black develops and keeps the king's destination open. Stockfish's line 9.h4 h6 10.O-O-O 10...Be6 11.Kb1 11...Qa5 shows both plans: White on the kingside, Black with the queen on the queenside.
9.O-O-O: Long castling brings the rook at once to the d-file against the pawn on d5. Stockfish would have played 9.h4 (-0.23) first; 9.O-O-O (-0.28) is only five hundredths behind – the moves usually just swap their order.
9…Be6: The bishop guards d5. Stockfish would first have played 9...h6; the difference is small.
10.h4: Now the pawns advance. Stockfish chooses 10.h4 (-0.2) ahead of 10.Kb1 (-0.32); its line 10...h6 11.Kb1 11...Qa5 12.g4 shows the storm with g4 while Black threatens with the queen on the other wing.
10…h6: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
11.Kb1: The king goes to b1 off the diagonal – a precaution before the kingside attack.
11…Qa5: The queen goes to a5 and aims at a2 and c3 – Black attacks your king.
12.g4: 12.g4 starts your pawn storm on the kingside – whoever is faster wins.
12…d4: 12...d4 attacks the knight on c3 and opens lines against your king.
13.c4: Watch out: only 13.c4 (-0.16) holds here – 13.b3 (-3.2) would be a serious mistake.
13…O-O-O: Black castles long and gets the king out of the centre.
14.g5: 14.g5 attacks the pawn on h6 and opens the g-file.
14…hxg5: Black takes on g5 – in return the h-file opens for your rook. Stockfish: level (-0.23).
15.Nxg5: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at -0.26 – almost level.

Line 2: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Qe2 Nxc3 7.dxc3 O-O 8.Bf4 c5 9.O-O-O Nc6 10.c4 d4 11.Qe4 Re8 12.a3 g6 13.Bd3 Bf5 14.Qe1 Qc8 15.Qg3

up to 7.dxc3 as line 1

7…O-O: Black first brings the king to safety. For Stockfish this is the second choice (+0.03) behind 7...c5 (-0.01) – almost equal.
8.Bf4: The bishop guards e5, as in the line with 7...c5. Stockfish chooses 8.Be3 (0) just ahead of 8.Bf4 (-0.08); the course stays with the players' move, which they play here almost always.
8…c5: Black attacks on the queenside, now with the king already on g8.
9.O-O-O: Castling on opposite sides – now every tempo counts. Stockfish sees 9.O-O-O (0) and 9.h4 (0) as equally good.
9…Nc6: The knight comes to c6 and attacks the pawn on e5.
10.c4: A move of Stockfish: 10.c4 attacks the pawn on d5, which the rook on d1 is already eyeing. Its own choices were 10.Kb1 and 10.h4, all three rated 0.
10…d4: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
11.Qe4: The queen goes to e4 and attacks the knight on c6 – she stands centrally.
11…Re8: The rook goes to e8 and sets itself against your queen on the e-file.
12.a3: 12.a3 gives your king air and takes b4 from the knight.
12…g6: 12...g6 takes h7 from your queen and prepares bishop to f5.
13.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and eyes g6 – it prepares the attack.
13…Bf5: The bishop attacks your queen on e4 and offers the bishop trade.
14.Qe1: The queen retreats to e1 and covers the e-file.
14…Qc8: The queen goes to c8 – level. Stockfish: level (0).
15.Qg3: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at -0.15 – almost level.

Line 3: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Qe2 f5 7.d3 Nc5 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qf2 d4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Ne6 12.Ne2 O-O 13.h4 f4 14.O-O-O a5 15.Kb1

up to 6.Qe2 as line 2

6…f5: Black supports the knight with the f-pawn. For Stockfish the second choice (+0.05) behind 6...Nxc3 (0).
7.d3: You chase the knight away. Stockfish chooses 7.d3 (+0.03) clearly ahead of 7.g3 (-0.15).
7…Nc5: The knight retreats to c5 and covers e4 and d3.
8.Be3: A move of Stockfish: the bishop attacks the knight on c5 and comes into play with tempo. 8.Be3 (0) is ahead of 8.Qf2 (-0.04); its line 8...Nc6 9.Qf2 d4 shows that Black wants to drive the bishop away with the d-pawn.
8…Nc6: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
9.Qf2: The queen goes to f2 and attacks the knight on c5.
9…d4: 9...d4 attacks the knight on c3 and the bishop on e3 – a fork.
10.Nxd4: You take on d4 with the knight and save both pieces.
10…Nxd4: Black trades on d4.
11.Bxd4: Watch out: only 11.Bxd4 (-0.1) holds here – 11.O-O-O (-5.83) would be a serious mistake.
11…Ne6: The knight goes to e6 and attacks your bishop on d4.
12.Ne2: Watch out: only 12.Ne2 (0) holds here – 12.Be3 (-1.54) would be a serious mistake.
12…O-O: Black castles and brings the king to safety.
13.h4: 13.h4 gains space on the kingside and prepares h5.
13…f4: 13...f4 gains space and attacks the bishop on e3.
14.O-O-O: Watch out: only 14.O-O-O (0) holds here – 14.Bc3 (-0.51) would be a serious mistake.
14…a5: 14...a5 attacks on the queenside – level. Stockfish: level (0).
15.Kb1: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at 0 – almost level.

Line 4: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Qe2 Ng5 7.d4 c6 8.Bxg5 Bxg5 9.Nxg5 Qxg5 10.Qf2 O-O 11.Bd3 Na6 12.h4 Qe7 13.Bxa6 bxa6 14.O-O f6 15.Rae1

up to 6.Qe2 as line 3

6…Ng5: The knight retreats instead of trading. For Stockfish weaker than 6...Nxc3 – afterwards White is slightly better.
7.d4: You take the centre. Stockfish chooses 7.d4 (+0.09) clearly ahead of 7.Nxg5 (-0.14): after 7...Nxf3 8.Qxf3 the queen stands actively and White has the centre.
7…c6: A mistake that costs four tenths: Black guards d5 but leaves the knight on g5. Better was 7...Nxf3.
8.Bxg5: A move of Stockfish: you trade the knight. After 8...Bxg5 9.Nxg5 9...Qxg5 10.Qf2 White has the centre and the better development. Stockfish sees 8.Bxg5 (+0.38) just ahead of 8.Nxg5 (+0.36).
8…Bxg5: Black recaptures with the bishop and has traded off the bishop pair.
9.Nxg5: You take the bishop on g5 – in return Black's queen becomes active.
9…Qxg5: The queen recaptures and stands actively on g5.
10.Qf2: The queen goes to f2 and leaves the pin on the e-file – she covers the kingside.
10…O-O: Black castles and brings the king to safety.
11.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and eyes h7.
11…Na6: The knight goes to a6 and on to c7 or b4.
12.h4: 12.h4 attacks the queen on g5 and gains space.
12…Qe7: The queen retreats to e7.
13.Bxa6: You trade on a6 and give Black doubled pawns.
13…bxa6: Black recaptures with the pawn.
14.O-O: You castle short – your king is safe.
14…f6: 14...f6 attacks your pawn on e5. Stockfish: level (+0.12).
15.Rae1: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at +0.16 – almost level.

Chapter 2: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Nc6

Line 5: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Be7 7.Qe2 Ng5 8.Nxg5 Bxg5 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.O-O Be7 11.d4 O-O 12.Na4 f6 13.Bf4 Bf5 14.exf6 Rxf6 15.Rae1

up to 5.Nf3 as line 4

5…Nc6: Black attacks e5. Stockfish does not like it: it costs a good quarter of a pawn against its choice 5...Bc5 (-0.14), and afterwards White is slightly better.
6.Bb5: The bishop pins the knight that attacks e5. Stockfish is sure: 6.Bb5 (+0.04) against 6.d3 (-0.65). Its line 6...Be7 7.Qe2 Ng5 shows that White then trades with Nxg5 and castles.
6…Be7: Black develops. Stockfish would first have played 6...a6 (+0.01); 6...Be7 (+0.08) is the second choice, 6...Bg4 (+0.15) the third.
7.Qe2: The queen attacks the knight on e4. Stockfish chooses 7.Qe2 (+0.04) ahead of 7.O-O (-0.15); its line 7...Nxc3 8.dxc3 a6 9.Bd3 shows the set-up with open lines for the bishops.
7…Ng5: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
8.Nxg5: You trade on g5 and simplify.
8…Bxg5: Black recaptures with the bishop.
9.Bxc6: You trade on c6 and give Black doubled pawns.
9…bxc6: Black recaptures with the pawn.
10.O-O: You castle short – your king is safe.
10…Be7: The bishop goes back to e7 and covers the kingside.
11.d4: 11.d4 builds the centre and supports e5.
11…O-O: Black castles.
12.Na4: The knight goes to a4 and on to c5.
12…f6: 12...f6 attacks your pawn on e5.
13.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4 and covers the pawn on e5.
13…Bf5: The bishop goes to f5 and eyes c2.
14.exf6: You take on f6 and open the f-file.
14…Rxf6: Black recaptures with the rook – level. Stockfish: level (+0.05).
15.Rae1: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at 0 – almost level.

Line 6: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bc5 7.d4 Bb6 8.Qe2 Bf5 9.O-O O-O 10.Be3 Bg4 11.Qe1 Bh5 12.Kh1 f6 13.a3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 fxe5 15.dxe5

up to 6.Bb5 as line 5

6…Bc5: The bishop aims at g1, but Stockfish sees it here as worse than 6...a6 and 6...Be7.
7.d4: A move of Stockfish: into the centre with tempo against the bishop. 7.d4 (+0.15) is clearly ahead of 7.Qe2 (+0.03); after 7...Bb6 White castles and brings the queen to e2.
7…Bb6: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
8.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and supports the pawn on e5 – she attacks the knight on e4.
8…Bf5: The bishop goes to f5 and covers the knight on e4.
9.O-O: You castle short – your king is safe.
9…O-O: Black castles.
10.Be3: The bishop goes to e3 and covers d4.
10…Bg4: The bishop pins your knight on f3.
11.Qe1: The queen retreats to e1.
11…Bh5: The bishop goes to h5 and keeps the pin.
12.Kh1: The king goes to h1 off the diagonal.
12…f6: 12...f6 attacks your pawn on e5.
13.a3: 13.a3 takes b4 from the knight.
13…Bxf3: Black trades on f3 and gives you doubled pawns.
14.gxf3: You recapture with the g-pawn – the g-file is open for your rook.
14…fxe5: Black takes on e5 – level. Stockfish: level (0).
15.dxe5: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at 0 – almost level.

Chapter 3: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bg4

Line 7: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Qe2 Nxc3 7.dxc3 Nc6 8.Bf4 Qd7 9.O-O-O O-O-O 10.Qf2 Be7 11.Kb1 Kb8 12.Be2 a6 13.a3 h6 14.h3 Be6 15.Rhe1

up to 5.Nf3 as line 6

5…Bg4: The Kaufmann Variation: the bishop pins the knight on f3 that guards e5. For Stockfish it costs a good quarter of a pawn against 5...Bc5.
6.Qe2: The queen breaks the pin and attacks the knight on e4. Stockfish chooses 6.Qe2 (+0.2) clearly ahead of 6.Be2 (-0.05) – a quarter of a pawn of difference.
6…Nxc3: The trade is the best reply: 6...Nxc3 (+0.13) ahead of 6...Ng5 (+0.33) and 6...Nc5 (+0.68).
7.dxc3: Again recapture with the d-pawn. Stockfish chooses 7.dxc3 (+0.16) clearly ahead of 7.bxc3 (-0.21). Its line 7...Nd7 8.Bf4 c6 9.h3 shows the question to the bishop on g4.
7…Nc6: Black attacks e5 a second time – with the bishop on g4 and the knight.
8.Bf4: The bishop guards e5. Stockfish chooses 8.Bf4 (+0.18) clearly ahead of 8.Be3 (-0.02), after which Black wins the pawn back with 8...Nxe5.
8…Qd7: Black wants to castle long. Both sides bring the king to the queenside.
9.O-O-O: A move of Stockfish: long castling with the rook against d5. 9.O-O-O (+0.21) is ahead of 9.h3 (+0.12); its line 9...O-O-O 10.Qf2 shows the queen on her way to f2, against the pawn on a7.
9…O-O-O: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
10.Qf2: The queen goes to f2 and leaves the pin on the e-file – she covers the kingside.
10…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
11.Kb1: The king goes to b1 off the diagonal – a precaution before the kingside attack.
11…Kb8: The king goes to b8 off the diagonal.
12.Be2: The bishop goes to e2 and connects the rooks.
12…a6: 12...a6 gives the king air and takes b5 from your pieces.
13.a3: 13.a3 gives your king air.
13…h6: 13...h6 takes g5 from your bishop.
14.h3: 14.h3 takes g4 from the bishop.
14…Be6: The bishop goes to e6 – level. Stockfish: level (+0.12).
15.Rhe1: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at +0.1 – almost level.

Line 8: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Qe2 Ng5 7.d4 Nxf3 8.gxf3 Be6 9.h4 Be7 10.Qf2 Nc6 11.Be3 Qd7 12.O-O-O O-O-O 13.Kb1 Kb8 14.a3 g6 15.f4

up to 6.Qe2 as line 7

6…Ng5: The knight retreats and attacks f3 a second time. For Stockfish a move that costs two tenths more than 6...Nxc3.
7.d4: A move of Stockfish: you occupy the centre and let Black trade on f3. After 7...Nxf3 8.gxf3 White has the bishop pair and the open g-file. 7.d4 (+0.33) is ahead of 7.h4 (+0.23).
7…Nxf3: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
8.gxf3: Watch out: only 8.gxf3 (+0.05) holds here – 8.Kf2 (-8.1) would be a serious mistake.
8…Be6: The bishop goes to e6 and covers d5.
9.h4: 9.h4 gains space on the kingside.
9…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
10.Qf2: The queen goes to f2 and leaves the pin on the e-file – she covers the kingside.
10…Nc6: The knight comes to c6 and attacks d4.
11.Be3: The bishop goes to e3 and covers d4.
11…Qd7: The queen goes to d7 and prepares castling long.
12.O-O-O: You castle long: your king stands on c1 and the rook on d1 presses on d5 – the kings often stand on opposite sides.
12…O-O-O: Black castles long too.
13.Kb1: The king goes to b1 off the diagonal – a precaution before the kingside attack.
13…Kb8: The king goes to b8 off the diagonal.
14.a3: 14.a3 gives your king air.
14…g6: 14...g6 takes f5 from your pieces – you stand slightly better. Stockfish: level (+0.20).
15.f4: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at +0.19 – almost level.

Chapter 4: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bc5

Line 9: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bc5 6.d4 Bb4 7.Bd2 c5 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.c3 exf3 10.Qxf3 Nc6 11.Bb5 O-O 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.cxb4 Qh4 14.Qf2 Qe4 15.Qe3

up to 5.Nf3 as line 8

5…Bc5: Stockfish's own first choice (-0.14): the bishop aims at g1 and keeps White from castling short. Here you must play accurately.
6.d4: Into the centre with tempo against the bishop. Stockfish chooses 6.d4 (-0.13) clearly ahead of 6.Qe2 (-0.32).
6…Bb4: The bishop goes in front of the knight on c3 and increases the pressure on c3.
7.Bd2: You guard c3 a second time. Stockfish chooses 7.Bd2 (-0.11) ahead of 7.a3 (-0.23), which after 7...Bxc3 8.bxc3 Nxc3 costs a pawn.
7…c5: Black attacks d4. For Stockfish the best reply (-0.17), ahead of 7...Nc6 (0) and 7...Bxc3 (+0.11).
8.Nxe4: A move of Stockfish: you trade the strong knight. After 8...dxe4 9.c3 exf3 10.Qxf3 your queen stands actively and the bishop on b4 has to decide. 8.Nxe4 (-0.11) is just ahead of 8.Bd3 (-0.16).
8…dxe4: Black takes on e4 and attacks your knight on f3.
9.c3: Watch out: only 9.c3 (-0.1) holds here – 9.a3 (-1.06) would be a serious mistake.
9…exf3: Black takes the knight on f3 – you have the bishop pair for it.
10.Qxf3: Watch out: only 10.Qxf3 (-0.13) holds here – 10.cxb4 (-1.73) would be a serious mistake.
10…Nc6: The knight comes to c6 and attacks d4.
11.Bb5: The bishop pins the knight on c6.
11…O-O: Black castles.
12.Bxc6: Watch out: only 12.Bxc6 (-0.27) holds here – 12.O-O-O (-5.3) would be a serious mistake.
12…bxc6: Black recaptures with the pawn.
13.cxb4: Watch out: only 13.cxb4 (-0.34) holds here – 13.Qg3 (-5.06) would be a serious mistake.
13…Qh4: The queen gives check on h4.
14.Qf2: The queen interposes and offers a queen trade.
14…Qe4: The queen goes to e4 with check – Black stands slightly better. Stockfish: level (-0.22).
15.Qe3: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at -0.25 – almost level.

Line 10: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bc5 6.d4 Bb4 7.Bd2 Bg4 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Bxb4 exf3 10.Qd2 Nc6 11.Bc3 Qd5 12.b3 fxg2 13.Bxg2 Bf3 14.Bxf3 Qxf3 15.Rf1

up to 7.Bd2 as line 9

7…Bg4: The pin comes too late here: Stockfish sees White slightly ahead afterwards; 7...c5 was almost three tenths better.
8.Nxe4: You trade the knight. Stockfish chooses 8.Nxe4 (+0.2) ahead of 8.Bd3 (0); its line 8...dxe4 9.Bxb4 exf3 10.Qd2 shows that White takes the bishop on b4 and collects the pawn on f3 later.
8…dxe4: Black takes the knight on e4 and attacks f3.
9.Bxb4: Watch out: here only this move is good. Stockfish rates 9.Bxb4 (+0.18), while 9.h3 (-1.49) after 9...Bxf3 10.gxf3 Qh4 exposes the king – more than one and a half pawns of difference.
9…exf3: Black takes the knight on f3.
10.Qd2: A move of Stockfish: the queen leaves the file and protects the bishop. After 10...Nc6 11.Bc3 White has the bishop pair. 10.Qd2 (+0.11) is ahead of 10.Qd3 (0).
10…Nc6: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
11.Bc3: The bishop goes to c3 and covers the long diagonal.
11…Qd5: The queen goes to d5 and attacks a2.
12.b3: 12.b3 covers a2 and c4.
12…fxg2: Black takes the pawn on g2.
13.Bxg2: Watch out: only 13.Bxg2 (0) holds here – 13.Qxg2 (-7.03) would be a serious mistake.
13…Bf3: The bishop attacks your bishop on g2.
14.Bxf3: You trade on f3.
14…Qxf3: The queen recaptures – level. Stockfish: level (0).
15.Rf1: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at 0 – almost level.

Chapter 5: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bb4

Line 11: 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bb4 6.Qe2 Bxc3 7.dxc3 O-O 8.Bf4 Nd7 9.O-O-O c6 10.Qe3 Ndc5 11.Be2 Bf5 12.Nd4 Bg6 13.c4 Ne6 14.h4 h6 15.Bg4

up to 5.Nf3 as line 10

5…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight on c3 that attacks the knight on e4. For Stockfish a good two tenths worse than 5...Bc5.
6.Qe2: The queen attacks the knight on e4. Stockfish would have chosen 6.Bd3 (+0.08), ahead of 6.Be2 (0); 6.Qe2 gives away only seven hundredths and is played by the players in six games out of ten.
6…Bxc3: Black gives up the bishop pair to keep the knight on e4.
7.dxc3: Here Stockfish puts 7.bxc3 (+0.02) ahead; 7.dxc3 (-0.09) is the second choice. The course stays with the players' move: dxc3 opens the lines for bishop and rook; the difference is a tenth.
7…O-O: Black castles and brings the king to safety.
8.Bf4: A move of Stockfish: the bishop guards e5 and eyes c7 and d6. 8.Bf4 (-0.12) is ahead of 8.Be3 (-0.18).
8…Nd7: Here the games of the collection end – from now on Stockfish plays on alone for both sides, up to White's 15th move.
9.O-O-O: You castle long: your king stands on c1 and the rook on d1 presses on d5 – the kings often stand on opposite sides.
9…c6: 9...c6 supports d5.
10.Qe3: The queen goes to e3 and attacks the knight on e4.
10…Ndc5: The knight goes to c5 and covers e4.
11.Be2: The bishop goes to e2 and connects the rooks.
11…Bf5: The bishop goes to f5 and eyes c2.
12.Nd4: The knight jumps to d4 and attacks the bishop on f5.
12…Bg6: The bishop retreats to g6.
13.c4: 13.c4 attacks d5.
13…Ne6: The knight attacks your bishop on f4 and the knight on d4.
14.h4: 14.h4 attacks on the kingside.
14…h6: 14...h6 stops h5 – Black stands slightly better. Stockfish: level (-0.14).
15.Bg4: The line ends with White's 15th move. Stockfish rates the position at -0.06 – almost level.