ECO C44 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Benima Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. d4 exd4

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

5. O-O+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Benima Defense (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. d4 exd4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. O-O for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.445. O-O Nf6 6. Nxd4 d6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 Re8 9. Re1 Bf8
  2. +0.415. Nxd4 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. a4 Re8 9. Bf4 Nxd4
  3. +0.335. c3 Na5 6. Be2 dxc3 7. Nxc3 d6 8. Qc2 Nc6 9. Bf4 Bd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Benima Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. d4 exd4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. O-O for White, continuing Nf6 6. Nxd4 d6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 Re8 9. Re1 Bf8. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 5. Nxd4 (+0.41) and 5. c3 (+0.33).
Is the Scotch Game: Benima Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: white 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 Scotch Game: Benima Defense?
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+).