Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nf5
5… Qxe4+−0.52
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nf5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Qxe4+ for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.52).
Top engine moves
- −0.525… Qxe4+ 6. Ne3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Qe5 8. O-O d5 9. Re1 Be6 10. Nc3
- −0.415… Bb4+ 6. Nd2 Qxe4+ 7. Ne3 Qe7 8. Be2 Qd8 9. c3 Be7 10. Nf5
- +0.325… Qd8 6. Nc3 g6 7. Ne3 Bg7 8. Ned5 Nce7 9. Bc4 c6 10. Nxe7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nf5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Qxe4+ for Black, continuing 6. Ne3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Qe5 8. O-O d5 9. Re1 Be6 10. Nc3. Black is slightly better (−0.52). The next best moves are 5… Bb4+ (−0.41) and 5… Qd8 (+0.32).
Is the Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.52: black 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 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+).