Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Canal Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 d5 7. Nc3
7… dxc3−0.57
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Canal Variation (C56), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 d5 7. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… dxc3 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.57).
Top engine moves
- −0.577… dxc3 8. Bxd5 Be6 9. Bxe4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 cxb2 11. Bxb2 f6 12. Rab1
- −0.547… Be6 8. Bxd5 dxc3 9. Bxe4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 cxb2 11. Bxb2 f6 12. Rab1
- −0.307… dxc4 8. Rxe4+ Be7 9. Nxd4 f5 10. Rf4 Qd7 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. Qe2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Canal Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 d5 7. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… dxc3 for Black, continuing 8. Bxd5 Be6 9. Bxe4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 cxb2 11. Bxb2 f6 12. Rab1. Black is slightly better (−0.57). The next best moves are 7… Be6 (−0.54) and 7… dxc4 (−0.30).
Is the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Canal Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.57: black is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Canal Variation?
C56. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).