Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Blackburne Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Qd2
7… d5−0.17
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Blackburne Attack (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Qd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.17).
Top engine moves
- −0.177… d5 8. Nb5 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nxc7 Rb8 11. Nd2 dxe4 12. O-O-O
- −0.077… O-O 8. Nb5 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 d5 10. Nxc7 Rb8 11. Nd2 dxe4 12. O-O-O
- 0.007… d6 8. f4 Bd7 9. Be2 Qg6 10. Bf3 O-O-O 11. f5 Qf6 12. b4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Blackburne Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Qd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… d5 for Black, continuing 8. Nb5 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nxc7 Rb8 11. Nd2 dxe4 12. O-O-O. The position is roughly equal (−0.17). The next best moves are 7… O-O (−0.07) and 7… d6 (0.00).
Is the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Blackburne Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.17: 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: Classical Variation, Blackburne Attack?
C45. 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+).