ECO C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6

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

6. Qf3+0.19

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

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Qf3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.196. Qf3 bxc6 7. Nc3 Bd4 8. Na4 d6 9. Qxf6 Nxf6 10. c3 Bb6
  2. +0.026. Qe2 dxc6 7. Nc3 Be6 8. f4 O-O-O 9. f5 Bxf5 10. exf5 Nh6
  3. −0.146. f3 dxc6 7. Nc3 Ne7 8. Bd2 a5 9. f4 a4 10. a3 Bd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Qf3 for White, continuing bxc6 7. Nc3 Bd4 8. Na4 d6 9. Qxf6 Nxf6 10. c3 Bb6. The position is roughly equal (+0.19). The next best moves are 6. Qe2 (+0.02) and 6. f3 (−0.14).
Is the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.19: 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, Intermezzo Variation?
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+).