Vienna Opening-Steinitz Variation

1. e4 e5

2. Nc3 Nf6

3. f4 d5

4. d3

In the Steinitz Variation, white on the outer looks to be defending the pawn on the e4 but if e4 pawn is not defended then once f4 takes e5 knight grabs the e4 pawn and this further advance of knight must be prevented by the move d3 which allows white to have a grasp on the e5 pawn on the next move. If black grabs f4 then white holds the edge as his dark squared bishop gets a comfortable square to hold on to. Thus the pawn move has quite a significant role.

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.d3 d4 5.Nce2 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.fxe5 Nh5 8.Neg1 Nxe5 9.Be2 Ng6 10.Nxd4

The defender moves out away from his role.

Qh4+ 11.g3 Nxg3 12.hxg3 Qxh1 13.Be3 h5 14.Bxg4 hxg4 15.c3 Ne5 16.Qa4+ c6 17.0-0-0 Qg2 18.Kb1 Bc5 19.Nf5 Bxe3 20.Nxe3 Qf2 21.Qd4 Rh2 22.c4 f6 23.Rf1 Qxg3 24.Ka1 Rd8 25.Qxa7 Nxd3 26.Nf5 Qe5 27.Nxg7+ Kf8

In the Steinitz Variation,if you would like to counter a sacrifice with a counter sacrifice to create a room for your activity then this opening is just fine for a player like you.