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. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
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+).