ECO C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Potter Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3

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

5… Bb6+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Potter Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bb6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.335… Bb6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Bf4 Be6 8. Qd2 Qh4 9. g3 Qh5 10. Be2
  2. +0.395… Bb4+ 6. c3 Be7 7. Bf4 d6 8. N1d2 Bg5 9. Bg3 h5 10. h3
  3. +0.405… Be7 6. Bf4 Bf6 7. c3 d6 8. Be2 Bg5 9. Bg3 Bh4 10. Na3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Potter Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bb6 for Black, continuing 6. Nc3 d6 7. Bf4 Be6 8. Qd2 Qh4 9. g3 Qh5 10. Be2. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 5… Bb4+ (+0.39) and 5… Be7 (+0.40).
Is the Scotch Game: Potter Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: 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: Potter 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+).