Scotch Game: Cochrane Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5
7… d5−0.88
Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Cochrane Variation (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… d5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.88).
Top engine moves
- −0.887… d5 8. exd6 cxd6 9. O-O Nge7 10. Ba3 O-O 11. Qxd6 Bf5 12. Re1
- −0.807… Nge7 8. Ba3 O-O 9. O-O d5 10. exd6 cxd6 11. Qxd6 Bf5 12. Nh4
- −0.097… Bb6 8. Ba3 Nge7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Ne4 Ng6 11. Bxf8 Kxf8 12. O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Cochrane Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… d5 for Black, continuing 8. exd6 cxd6 9. O-O Nge7 10. Ba3 O-O 11. Qxd6 Bf5 12. Re1. Black is clearly better (−0.88). The next best moves are 7… Nge7 (−0.80) and 7… Bb6 (−0.09).
Is the Scotch Game: Cochrane Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.88: black is clearly 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: Cochrane Variation?
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+).