ECO C44 · for White
Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
4,274,932 games in this band reached the Scotch Gambit position. From there White won 54% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. c3 dxc3 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qd5+ Ke8 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qxc5
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... Nc6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and supporting the e5 pawn.
Moves 3 to 4
3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5
3. d4
Challenging the center immediately. If black captures, white can recapture with the knight, gaining central control and tempo.
3... exd4
Capturing the pawn not to give up a space advantage and developing quickly.
4. Bc4
Developing the bishop, while preparing to castle and getting ready to attack the black king.
4... Bc5
Developing the bishop and protecting the d4 pawn.
- 4... Nf6: Developing the knight and attacking the e4 pawn. Black has to defend against White's attack.
- 4... h6: Preventing White from playing Ng5 and attacking the f7 pawn.
- 4... d6: Opening up the light-squared bishop and preventing White from playing e5.
Moves 5 to 6
5. c3 dxc3 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7
5. c3
Offering White a pawn in order to gain a development advantage and potential attack.
5... dxc3
Accepting the pawn sacrifice in order to play a defensive position, aiming to hold onto the pawn advantage and develop.
- 5... Nf6: Developing the knight and attacking White’s e4 pawn.
6. Bxf7+
6... Kxf7
Moves 7 to 9
7. Qd5+ Ke8 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qxc5
7. Qd5+
7... Ke8
8. Qh5+
8... g6
9. Qxc5
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- White typically castles kingside
- The queen on c5 or queenside knight generally captures the pawn on c3
- The knight on f3 usually recaptures the pawn on e5
- The dark-squared bishop often develops to g5
- The queenside knight typically develops to d2
- A common pawn move is e5
Related opening guides
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Philidor Defense for Black
- Zukertort Opening for White