ECO C44 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Lolli Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 Nxd4

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

4. Nxd4+0.58

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Lolli Variation (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 Nxd4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nxd4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.58).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.584. Nxd4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Qf6 6. e5 Qb6 7. Qxb6 axb6 8. Nc3 Kd8
  2. +0.364. Nxe5 Ne6 5. Bc4 d6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. O-O O-O
  3. −0.334. Bc4 Nxf3+ 5. Qxf3 Qf6 6. Qc3 b6 7. Qg3 Bd6 8. Nc3 Bb7

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 Nxd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. Qxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Lolli Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 Nxd4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nxd4 for White, continuing exd4 5. Qxd4 Qf6 6. e5 Qb6 7. Qxb6 axb6 8. Nc3 Kd8. White is slightly better (+0.58). The next best moves are 4. Nxe5 (+0.36) and 4. Bc4 (−0.33).
Is the Scotch Game: Lolli Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.58: 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: Lolli 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+).