ECO C44 · for White
Scotch Game
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.
20,887,490 games in this band reached the Scotch Game position. From there White won 53% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 d6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. e5 dxe5 10. Qxe5 Qe8
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. Nxd4 Nxd4
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. Nxd4
Recapturing the pawn while centralizing the knight.
- 4. Bc4: Developing the bishop, while preparing to castle and getting ready to attack the black king.
4... Nxd4
Capturing the knight in order to trade off pieces. This allows white to centralize the queen without any consequences.
- 4... Bc5: Developing the bishop while attacking the knight.
- 4... Nf6: Developing the knight while attacking the e4 pawn.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Qxd4 d6 6. Nc3 Nf6
5. Qxd4
Recapturing the knight while centralizing the queen.
5... d6
Preventing e5 after Nf6 so that the knight is not forced to retreat. The light squared bishop is also able to develop now.
- 5... Nf6: Developing the knight while pressuring the e4 pawn. Black will likely attack the queen with Nc6 and aim to use his development advantage.
- 5... Qf6: Activating the queen and offering White a trade.
- 5... c5: Gaining space in the center and attacking White's queen.
6. Nc3
Developing the knight and strengthening the center. White has an advantage because of the lead in development and greater space.
- 6. Bc4: Developing the bishop and preparing to castle. White has a large lead in development and might be able to launch an attack while Black is underdeveloped.
6... Nf6
Developing the knight and pressuring White's center.
Moves 7 to 8
7. Bg5 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O
7. Bg5
7... Be7
8. O-O-O
8... O-O
Moves 9 to 10
9. e5 dxe5 10. Qxe5 Qe8
9. e5
9... dxe5
10. Qxe5
10... Qe8
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.
- The queen on e5 typically captures the pawn on c7
- The queen on c7 generally captures the pawn on b7
- The queen on e5 usually captures the queen on e8
- The pawn on b2 often recaptures the rook on c3
- The light-squared bishop can develop to b5 or c4
- The bishop on a4 often moves to b3
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