Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5
5… Bb4++0.29
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bb4+ for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).
Top engine moves
- +0.295… Bb4+ 6. c3 Ba5 7. Nd2 Bb6 8. g3 Qf6 9. Nf3 d6 10. Bg2
- +0.435… Bc5 6. Qe2 Qd8 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Qg3 Nf6 9. N1c3 d6 10. Be3
- +0.575… Qxe4+ 6. Be2 Bb4+ 7. N1c3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nd4
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bb4+ for Black, continuing 6. c3 Ba5 7. Nd2 Bb6 8. g3 Qf6 9. Nf3 d6 10. Bg2. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 5… Bc5 (+0.43) and 5… Qxe4+ (+0.57).
Is the Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: 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: Horwitz 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+).