ECO C44 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, London Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+

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

5. c30.00

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, London Defense (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. c3 for White. The position is roughly equal (0.00).

Top engine moves

  1. 0.005. c3 dxc3 6. O-O Nf6 7. bxc3 Bc5 8. e5 d5 9. Bb3 Ne4
  2. −0.195. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Nf6 7. Bd5 O-O 8. O-O Re8 9. Re1 d6
  3. −0.625. Nbd2 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. e5 Ng4 8. Re1 Re8 9. a3 Bf8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, London Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. c3 for White, continuing dxc3 6. O-O Nf6 7. bxc3 Bc5 8. e5 d5 9. Bb3 Ne4. The position is roughly equal (0.00). The next best moves are 5. Bd2 (−0.19) and 5. Nbd2 (−0.62).
Is the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, London Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at 0.00: the position is roughly equal. 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, London Defense?
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+).