ECO C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Malaniuk Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+

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

5. c3+0.31

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Malaniuk Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. c3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.31).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.315. c3 Bc5 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Nd2 Qf6 8. Nf3 Qg6 9. e5 Ne7
  2. +0.135. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O d5 9. exd5 cxd5
  3. −0.065. Bd2 Qe7 6. Nb5 d5 7. Be2 dxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Qd2 e3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Malaniuk Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. c3 for White, continuing Bc5 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Nd2 Qf6 8. Nf3 Qg6 9. e5 Ne7. White is slightly better (+0.31). The next best moves are 5. Nc3 (+0.13) and 5. Bd2 (−0.06).
Is the Scotch Game: Malaniuk Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.31: 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: Malaniuk 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+).