Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Cochrane-Anderssen Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Bg4
7. Qb3−0.37
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Cochrane-Anderssen Variation (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Qb3 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.37).
Top engine moves
- −0.377. Qb3 Bxf3 8. Bxf7+ Kf8 9. gxf3 Nf6 10. Bc4 Qd7 11. Bg5 Qe8
- −0.527. a4 dxc3 8. Nxc3 Ne5 9. Be2 Nxf3+ 10. Bxf3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Ne7
- −0.587. Bg5 Nge7 8. Qb3 O-O 9. cxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 11. h3 Bh5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Cochrane-Anderssen Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Qb3 for White, continuing Bxf3 8. Bxf7+ Kf8 9. gxf3 Nf6 10. Bc4 Qd7 11. Bg5 Qe8. Black is slightly better (−0.37). The next best moves are 7. a4 (−0.52) and 7. Bg5 (−0.58).
Is the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Cochrane-Anderssen Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.37: 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: Scotch Gambit, Cochrane-Anderssen Variation?
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+).