Scotch Game
The Scotch Game starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4, where White opens the center at once instead of playing Bc4 or Bb5. White wants quick development and a half-open d-file after Nxd4, while Black aims to hit the d4 knight and e4 pawn with ...Nf6, ...Bc5 or ...Bb4.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
- ECO
- C44, C45
- Engine
- +0.15 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 92,540 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Recapture with Nxd4 after ...exd4 and use the centralized knight, then develop with Nc3, Be3 and Qd2.
- Against ...Nf6, Nxc6 bxc6 and e5 drive the knight away and give Black doubled c-pawns.
- Gambit play with Bc4 or c3 instead of Nxd4 gives fast development and play against f7.
- After ...Bc5, Be3 or Nb3 keeps the knight safe and challenges the bishop on its best diagonal.
Black
- Take with ...exd4 and play ...Nf6, the engine's choice, hitting e4 and preparing ...d5.
- Develop the bishop to c5 with tempo on the d4 knight and follow with ...Qf6 or ...Qh4 ideas.
- After Nxc6 bxc6, use the half-open b-file and play ...d5 to fight for the center.
- Avoid ...d6 or ...Nxd4 if you want easy equality; the engine lines show White keeps more space.
Plans and pawn structure
After 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 the center is half-open. White has the e4 pawn and a knight on d4, while Black has free piece play. In the Mieses lines with Nxc6 bxc6 and e5, Black gets doubled c-pawns but the bishop pair and the b-file, and plays ...d6 or ...d5 to break up e5. In the 4...Bc5 lines, Black keeps a bishop on c5 and aims at f2, while White castles long or short and plays f4 or Qd2.
What the Scotch Game is about
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 White does not prepare the center with Bc4 or c3. White hits e5 at once and opens the game. After the natural 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 White has a knight on d4 and the e4 pawn, while Black has free development and targets on d4 and e4.
From this position White scored 54.5% across 92540 games. The engine likes 3...exd4, with the main line 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2. The alternatives 3...Nxd4 and 3...d6 leave White with a clearer edge. The Scotch is an honest opening: few traps, simple ideas, and an open board where the better-developed side often wins.
The main variations
The Lolli Variation, 3...Nxd4, is the most played reply in the packet, with 18673 games. Black trades knights, but after 4.Nxd4 exd4 5.Qxd4 White's queen is strong in the center. White scored 55.8% and the engine shows a clear edge for White.
The Scotch Gambit, 4.Bc4, leaves the d4 pawn and develops toward f7. Black can transpose to the Two Knights with ...Nf6 or play the Haxo Gambit with 4...Bc5. The engine rates the gambit as level.
The Classical Variation, 4...Bc5, hits the d4 knight at once. White answers with Be3, Nb3 or Nxc6, and Black plays ...Qf6 or ...Bb6.
The Göring Gambit, 4.c3, offers another pawn. If Black takes twice, White gets a big lead in development; the engine sees this as fine for Black with accurate play.
The Schmidt Variation, 4...Nf6, is the engine's choice for Black. It leads to the Mieses Variation after 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5, where Black's queen goes to e7 to pin the e5 pawn.
Typical plans for White
White's plan is to use the open center and the active knight. In the Mieses lines White plays Nxc6 and e5, then Qe2 to defend the pawn, c4 to stop ...d5 and Nd2 or Nc3 to finish development. Black's doubled c-pawns are a long-term target.
- Against 4...Bc5, Be3 and c3 protect the d4 knight, and Nb3 can chase the c5 bishop.
- In gambit lines, develop fast with O-O, Nc3 and Re1, and use the open e-file and the f7 square.
- Against the Lolli, keep the queen on d4 or c4 and develop normally. Black's pieces have fewer good squares.
White should avoid passive knight retreats that let Black take the initiative with ...d5.
Typical plans for Black
Black's plan is to develop quickly and strike back in the center. After 4...Nf6 the main idea is ...d5 or ...Qe7 against e5. After 4...Bc5 Black hits d4 and f2, often with ...Qf6 and ...Nge7.
- In the Mieses lines, accept the doubled pawns. The bishop pair and the half-open b-file are real compensation.
- Against the Scotch Gambit, transpose to the Two Knights with ...Nf6 if you know those lines, or return the pawn with ...d5 for free play.
- Against the Göring Gambit, the calm ...d5 or ...Nf6 lets Black return the pawn and catch up in development.
Mistakes club players make
- Black playing 3...d6. After 4.d5 Nb8 White has a big space edge, and the engine shows a clear plus.
- Grabbing too much in the Göring Gambit. Black can take on c3, but holding all the material against fast development is hard. White scored 55.8% in that line.
- White overlooking ...Qh4. In the Steinitz Variation, 4...Qh4, Black hits e4 and f2 at once. White scored only 40.8% there.
- Black keeping the bishop on c5 without support. If White plays Nxc6 and Be3 or Qe2, the c5 bishop can become a target.
- White trading the d4 knight too soon. Nxc6 is strong when it gains time with e5; without that idea it only helps Black.
Who should play it
The Scotch suits White players who like open positions and want a clear plan from the start. It needs less theory than the Ruy Lopez, and the main ideas, Nxd4, Nc3, Be3 and O-O, repeat from game to game.
For Black, the Schmidt and 4...Bc5 lines are reliable and active. Black players who like sharp play can meet the gambits head-on, while those who prefer calm games can return the pawn early and enjoy free development.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.15: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.15 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5
- +0.63 3...Nxd4 4.Nxd4 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qf6 6.Qc4
- +0.83 3...d6 4.d5 Nb8 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Nc3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
92,540 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Variations of the Scotch Game
- Lolli Variation3...Nxd4 · 18,673 games
- Scotch Gambit3...exd4 · 12,939 games
- Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack3...exd4 · rare
- Napoleon Gambit3...Nxd4 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, take with 3...exd4 and develop with 4...Nf6 or 4...Bc5; both lines are well tested and keep the balance. Against the Scotch Gambit and Göring Gambit, accept a pawn only if you know how to return it at the right moment. Avoid passive moves like 3...d6, which the engine shows as clearly better for White.
Full guide: how to beat the Scotch Game
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4; 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4; 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 5.Nb5 Bb4+ 6.Bd2.
Questions
What are the moves of the Scotch Game?
The Scotch Game starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4. Its ECO code is C44, C45.
Is the Scotch Game good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.15 at depth 20, which is level. In 92,540 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.5%. A sound choice for White players who want open positions and clear plans without long Ruy Lopez theory.
What is the main idea of the Scotch Game?
White opens the center on move three and trades the e5 pawn, leaving a knight on d4 and an open position. Black develops fast and attacks that knight and the e4 pawn.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is exd4, with Nxd4 and d6 close behind. 3...exd4 is the natural capture, and after 4.Nxd4 Nf6 Black hits e4 and develops with tempo.
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.