Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nc3+0.58
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation (C45), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.58).
Top engine moves
- +0.585. Nc3 Bb4 6. Be2 Qxe4 7. Nb5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O Nf6
- +0.345. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. c3 Bc5 7. Qe2 Kd8 8. g3 Qe7 9. b4 Bb6
- +0.155. Be3 Nf6 6. Bd3 Ng4 7. Nf5 Nxe3 8. Nxe3 Bc5 9. Qd2 d6
Other move orders
- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nc3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing Bb4 6. Be2 Qxe4 7. Nb5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O Nf6. White is slightly better (+0.58). The next best moves are 5. Nb5 (+0.34) and 5. Be3 (+0.15).
Is the Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.58: 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: Steinitz 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+).