ECO C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Modern Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nc3 Bb4

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

6. Be2+0.49

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Modern Defense (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nc3 Bb4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Be2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.49).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.496. Be2 Qxe4 7. Nb5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nd4 Qg6
  2. +0.186. Qd3 Nf6 7. Nf5 Qxe4+ 8. Qxe4+ Nxe4 9. Nxg7+ Ke7 10. a3 Ba5
  3. 0.006. Be3 Nf6 7. Nf5 Qxe4 8. Nxg7+ Kd8 9. Qf3 Qg6 10. Nf5 Bxc3+

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Modern Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nc3 Bb4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Be2 for White, continuing Qxe4 7. Nb5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nd4 Qg6. White is slightly better (+0.49). The next best moves are 6. Qd3 (+0.18) and 6. Be3 (0.00).
Is the Scotch Game: Modern Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.49: 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: Modern Defense?
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+).