Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense — g3 from Black's Side

White's most popular move here, by a landslide, is Bg2 — played in 74,025 of the 83,630 games in the database, scoring 51.0% for White. Fianchettoing the king's bishop makes perfect sense after g3, and it leads to a normal, slightly advantageous position for White. Nothing to panic about — you just need sound development (Nf6, d6, maybe O-O) and you are fine. What is interesting is that the engine's best move is Na4 (only 698 games), which attacks your Bc5. After Na4 d6 Bg2 Nf6, White scores 50.7% — again, essentially equal. You should be far more worried about moves like f4 (White scores just 33.5% — an inaccuracy costing about 0.8 pawns) or Nge2 (45.6% for White, an inaccuracy costing 0.5 pawns). If White plays either of those, you can seize a small edge. But first, you need to know how to handle Bg2, because that is what you will see most often.

At first glance, 49.7% White wins vs 46.5% Black wins looks like a slight White bias — but remember: the sample includes all ratings and time controls. Among the most-played continuations, the picture is even friendlier for Black: - Bg2 (74,025 games): White scores 51.0% — the standard, balanced fianchetto. - Nf3 (2,289 games): White scores just 39.4%! If White plays this natural-looking developing move, you are already doing well. - Nge2 (1,896 games): White scores 45.6%, and it is flagged as an inaccuracy. - d3 (1,460 games): White scores 41.6% — another good result for Black. - Na4 (698 games): White scores 50.7%, the engine's top choice. - f4 (561 games): White scores only 33.5%, also an inaccuracy. The pattern is clear: unless White knows to play Na4, you are likely to get a position that is already slightly favourable for Black. Your job is to recognise the dangerous replies (Bg2 and Na4) and handle them solidly while punishing the weaker moves.

If White plays Nge2, the engine says it loses about 0.5 pawns compared to the best move Na4. Why? Because Nge2 blocks the Bg2 fianchetto and does nothing to challenge your Bc5, which is already eyeing f2. You can continue naturally — Nf6, d6, O-O — and enjoy a comfortable game. The statistics back this up: White only scores 45.6% from here. The bigger inaccuracy is f4, which costs White roughly 0.8 pawns. White scores just 33.5% after this move — a terrible result. The f4 push weakens the e4 pawn and opens lines toward White's king. You should be ready to strike back in the centre, perhaps with d5 or Nf6, targeting the weakened squares. Both of these moves are gifts — the drill will help you practise the most punishing responses.

The engine recommends Na4, and the best-played line continues Na4 d6 Bg2 Nf6. Let's walk through it: - Na4 attacks your Bc5. Instead of retreating passively, you play d6, opening the diagonal for your light-squared bishop and preparing Nf6. - White develops with Bg2, the natural fianchetto. - You continue with Nf6, attacking e4 and developing normally. In this tabiya, Black has solved the problem of the Bc5 — it can retreat to a7 or e7 later — and has a solid, equal position. White scores 50.7% from here across 698 games, which is dead even. This is the critical line to know: if White plays Na4, you respond with d6 (not Bb6, which would lose time after a5), then develop and castle. The drill will let you play this exact line until it's second nature.

The Vienna Game with g3 and the Max Lange Defense (Bc5) steers toward an open, strategic middlegame. You are not trying to trap White in ten moves. Instead, you are aiming for: - Rapid development: Nf6, d6, O-O, Re8. - Central control: Your e5 pawn and the pressure against f2 with Bc5 are the main assets. - Flexibility: Your c5-bishop can retreat to e7 or a7 depending on White's setup. - Winning chances: With a 46.5% win rate for Black and several common White replies that score under 40%, you are not just surviving — you are playing for a win. If White does not know the theory, you will outplay them. The drill below will sharpen your instincts so you can handle all of White's tries, from the innocuous Nf3 to the critical Na4.