ECO C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Meitner Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Nc2

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7… d6−0.27

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Meitner Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Nc2, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… d6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.27).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.277… d6 8. Nd2 Bxe3 9. Nxe3 Be6 10. Bc4 O-O-O 11. Qf3 Qh6 12. O-O
  2. −0.127… Bxe3 8. Nxe3 b6 9. Nd2 Bb7 10. g3 O-O-O 11. Bg2 h5 12. h4
  3. −0.027… b6 8. Bxc5 bxc5 9. Ne3 O-O 10. Nd2 Rb8 11. Qc2 Ne5 12. Ndc4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Meitner Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Nc2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… d6 for Black, continuing 8. Nd2 Bxe3 9. Nxe3 Be6 10. Bc4 O-O-O 11. Qf3 Qh6 12. O-O. The position is roughly equal (−0.27). The next best moves are 7… Bxe3 (−0.12) and 7… b6 (−0.02).
Is the Scotch Game: Meitner Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.27: 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: Meitner 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+).