Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Nakhmanson Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Nc3
6… Nxc3−0.57
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Nakhmanson Gambit (C56), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Nxc3 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.57).
Top engine moves
- −0.576… Nxc3 7. bxc3 Be7 8. cxd4 d5 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. c3 O-O 11. Bf4
- −0.516… dxc3 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qd5+ Ke8 9. Re1 Qf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bxf6
- −0.406… Nd6 7. Qe2+ Be7 8. Nd5 Nxc4 9. Qxc4 O-O 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Nakhmanson Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Nxc3 for Black, continuing 7. bxc3 Be7 8. cxd4 d5 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. c3 O-O 11. Bf4. Black is slightly better (−0.57). The next best moves are 6… dxc3 (−0.51) and 6… Nd6 (−0.40).
Is the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Nakhmanson Gambit 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, Nakhmanson Gambit?
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+).