Vienna - Mieses Gambit

this is one of my favorite opening lines for white when playing the Vienna. Not many players have spent much time learning a defense to the Vienna - even at moderate to somewhat higher rating levels. Often times they will copy white's moves for the first half dozen moves or so, then they wind up with an incredibly bad position very early on.

Black is on the verge of getting his queen trapped with c3. His king cannot castle, and white is better developed. 

weird, but an interesting opening.  good for blitz.  I will learn it as a surprise weapon.  thanks.

4...Qf6 is a mistake, black clearly worse in the line u gave which is well known.

Theorically, the only reasonnable move for black is 4...Nd4, a new try unknown one decade ago, found by engines...

Sure black can deviate before but he/she is fine knowing this amazing Nd4.

I am not so sure about that Nd4. what does black have after this position?

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3452366

The engine did not like White exchanging knights. while black won this game, I would not consider it proof that the Mieses line is busted or anything. 

thanks for sharing the game! I enjoyed looking it over and learned a couple of things. 

Engine Schmingine. 

I am a longtime Vienna enthusiast.  I havent gone into that line too often. Keep in mind, black has other moves such as 2... Nf6  (and 2.. Bc5 which could transpose).  There is also the 3) f4 gambit and 3) g3 lines for white.

After 3) Bc4, instead of Bc5, black can play Nf6 which pretty much eliminates Qg4. 

In your position, black might be better with 4... Kf8 despite not being able to castle, see this game:

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1007581

Yes, white can't force the Mieses as you suggest. I am just saying that a fair number of players stumble into it unknowingly. Probably 15% of my games. If they play the main lines, I normally aim for a King's gambit declined type of position such as the following (obviously there are many move orders and transpositions, just showing something that would be typical)

Its interesting that you posted the above position, Ive actually been spending alot of time analyzing it recently while doing a self-study on the Vienna.  I intended to focus more on the 2.. Nc6 and 2... Nf6 lines, but I started with 2.. Bc5 and found it to be a valid move that requires preparation. 

Thus, we have:   e4 e5 Nc3 Bc5.  and I'm trying to determine whats white's best third move: f4, Bc4 or Nf3?  I started analyzing with 3) f4 (though Bc4 can transpose, whereas 3) Nf3 blocks the f pawn).

Setting aside the 3... Bxg1 lines where white should be better,  3) f4 d6  4) Nf3 Nf6 5) Bc4 Nc6 6) d3 pretty much brings it to your position above.   6...  0-0 is an option though black has others such as 6... a6, 6... Bg4.   Ive been looking at these various 6th moves and trying them on the computer to see what it plays.  I might have to turn its strength down a bit,  otherwise doesnt take long for it to try and give me a good whipping   I noticed its fond of the weak f2 square, aiming for Ng4 with support of the bishop at c5.  John Shaw's book on the Kings Gambit has some good analysis on this position.  Perhaps 3) Nf3 is best, I'm, still trying to decide.

Thanks for the comments. I normally play 3. Bc4 after 2. ---Bc5. Then I normally follow with 4. d3, then f2-f4. 

The following is one of my favorite Vienna Opening Games.

2...Bc5 is supposed to be an innacuracy because white could play with Nf3 and d4.

The game given above (won by Joe Gallagher) cannot be considered a Vienna, it transposed into a king's gambit declined.

That is how I always play the Vienna - is to transpose into a KGD.

Unless of course, my opponent plays the following (best according to theory) line preventing it.

In which case the game can head into different (classic) Vienna channels such as -

With a complicated, tense game in store.

I’ve seen that game. Black gets roflstomped into the netherworld.

edit: talking to OP

I am not sure theory sees 3...Nxe4 as best, or let's say not going into Dracula Frankenstein variation...

3...Nxe4 is a rather easy equalizer if black wants with 3...Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Be7, instead of 5...Nc6.

Black can avoid transposing into KG declined :

Doesn't this at least hold onto the game for black?

That is a mind boggling position for sure. I think I would play Qg3 and prefer white. But wow!

that does not bust it at all. in response white play 5. Qxg7 Qf6 6. Qxf6 Nxf6 7. Bd3 and white has a clear advantage.