ECO C44 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Relfsson Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bb5

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

4… Bc5−0.32

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Relfsson Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bb5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.324… Bc5 5. O-O a6 6. Ba4 h6 7. a3 b5 8. b4 Bb6 9. Bb3
  2. −0.264… a6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. O-O Nxe4 7. Re1 d5 8. Bxd5 Qxd5 9. Nc3
  3. −0.214… Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. O-O Nf6 7. Nxc3 O-O 8. e5 Bxc3 9. bxc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Relfsson Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bb5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black, continuing 5. O-O a6 6. Ba4 h6 7. a3 b5 8. b4 Bb6 9. Bb3. Black is slightly better (−0.32). The next best moves are 4… a6 (−0.26) and 4… Bb4+ (−0.21).
Is the Scotch Game: Relfsson Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.32: 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: Relfsson Gambit?
C44. 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+).