ECO C44 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… exd4+0.29

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… exd4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.293… exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 d5 7. e5 Nd7 8. O-O
  2. +0.473… Nxd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Qf6 6. Qc3 Bd6 7. f4 Qxc3+ 8. Nxc3
  3. +0.783… d6 4. d5 Nb8 5. c4 Nd7 6. Nc3 g6 7. Bg5 Ngf6 8. h3

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2

All Scotch Game variations (47)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… exd4 for Black, continuing 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 d5 7. e5 Nd7 8. O-O. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 3… Nxd4 (+0.47) and 3… d6 (+0.78).
Is the Scotch Game a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: the position is roughly equal. 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 Scotch Game?
C44. 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+).