The Pierce Gambit, Rushmere Attack is a variation of the Vienna Game, catalogued as ECO C25. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. d4 g4 6. Bc4 gxf3 7. O-O d5 8. exd5 Bg4 9. dxc6, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black’s f- and h-files pawns are isolated.
On the Vienna Game generally: White delays Nf3 in favor of Nc3, keeping options open for a kingside attack with f4.
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The Pierce Gambit, Rushmere Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. d4 g4 6. Bc4 gxf3 7. O-O d5 8. exd5 Bg4 9. dxc6. It is a variation of the Vienna Game and is catalogued as ECO C25.
The Pierce Gambit, Rushmere Attack is ECO C25. 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 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. d4 g4 6. Bc4 gxf3 7. O-O d5 8. exd5 Bg4 9. dxc6 at -1.77 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for Black. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black’s f- and h-files pawns are isolated.