ECO C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Millennium Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Qg6

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

7. Qf3+0.32

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Millennium Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Qg6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Qf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.327. Qf3 Nf6 8. Nxc6 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 bxc6 10. Nd2 O-O 11. O-O-O Re8
  2. +0.317. Qd3 Nf6 8. Nxc6 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 bxc6 10. Nd2 O-O 11. O-O-O Ng4
  3. +0.237. f3 Nge7 8. Qe2 Bb6 9. Nb5 Bxe3 10. Qxe3 Kd8 11. Nd2 a6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Millennium Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Qg6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Qf3 for White, continuing Nf6 8. Nxc6 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 bxc6 10. Nd2 O-O 11. O-O-O Re8. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 7. Qd3 (+0.31) and 7. f3 (+0.23).
Is the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Millennium Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.32: 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: Classical Variation, Millennium 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+).