Scotch Game: Paulsen, Gunsberg Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Bb5 Nd8
8. O-O+0.65
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Paulsen, Gunsberg Defense (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Bb5 Nd8, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. O-O for White. White is slightly better (+0.65).
Top engine moves
- +0.658. O-O O-O 9. Nd2 d5 10. a4 a6 11. Bd3 Ndc6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6
- +0.618. Nd2 Ndc6 9. N2f3 d6 10. O-O a6 11. Ba4 O-O 12. Bc2
- +0.558. Qh5 Bb6 9. O-O Ndc6 10. Rd1 O-O 11. a4 d5 12. Bg5 Qd6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Paulsen, Gunsberg Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Bb5 Nd8, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. O-O for White, continuing O-O 9. Nd2 d5 10. a4 a6 11. Bd3 Ndc6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6. White is slightly better (+0.65). The next best moves are 8. Nd2 (+0.61) and 8. Qh5 (+0.55).
Is the Scotch Game: Paulsen, Gunsberg Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.65: 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: Paulsen, Gunsberg 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+).