The Heyde Variation is a variation of the Vienna Game, catalogued as ECO C29. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 f5 6. d4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Vienna Game generally: White delays Nf3 in favor of Nc3, keeping options open for a kingside attack with f4.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
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The Heyde Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 f5 6. d4. It is a variation of the Vienna Game and is catalogued as ECO C29.
The Heyde Variation is ECO C29. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Vienna Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 f5 6. d4 at -0.32 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.