Chess Openings Lab
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Scotch Game: Classical Variation

The Classical Variation of the Scotch is 4...Bc5, where Black hits the d4 knight at once. White chooses between defending it with Be3, trading on c6, or retreating to b3, while Black aims for ...Qf6 and quick pressure on d4 and f2.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5
ECO
C45
Engine
+0.26 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
8,367 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 5.Be3 and c3 to hold d4 firmly, then develop with Qe2 or Bc4.
  • Trade with Nxc6 and meet ...Qf6 with Qf3, reaching a queen trade where White has the better structure.
  • Retreat Nb3 to attack the bishop and use a4-a5 to gain queenside space.
  • Keep an eye on f2: Black's queen and bishop both point at it.

Black

  • Answer Be3 with ...Qf6 to pile up on d4, then ...Nge7 and castling.
  • After c3, put the queen on g6 to hit e4 and g2.
  • Against Nb3, drop the bishop to b6 and keep it on the a7-g1 diagonal.
  • Against Nxc6, ...Qf6 threatens mate on f2 first, and only after White covers it does Black recapture on c6.

Plans and pawn structure

After 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 White builds a strong center and plans Qd2 or Qe2, Nd2 and long or short castling. Black develops with ...Nge7, ...O-O and ...d5 or ...d6, often trading on d4 to simplify. In the Nb3 line, Black's bishop sits on b6 and White uses a4-a5 and Nc3 to fight for space. In the Nxc6 lines, Black gets open lines after ...bxc6 or ...dxc6 in return for a weaker structure.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.26: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.26 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 Qg6 7.Qe2 Nxd4
  2. +0.24 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qf3 bxc6 7.Nc3 Qxf3
  3. +0.22 5.Nb3 Bb6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.a4 a6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

8,367 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.8%.

under 120049.9%
1200–159951.6%
1600–199952.7%
2000 and up49.5%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, 5.Be3 with c3 is the most solid answer and keeps an edge in space. Do not leave d4 hanging to the second attacker. As Black, know the ...Qf6 ideas and do not let White trade on c6 and keep queens if f2 is weak.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scotch Game: Classical Variation?

The Scotch Game: Classical Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5. Its ECO code is C45.

Is the Scotch Game: Classical Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.26 at depth 20, which is level. In 8,367 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.8%. A main line for active Black players, and White needs to know at least one clear system against ...Qf6.

What is the main idea of the Scotch Game: Classical Variation?

Black develops the bishop to c5 to pressure the d4 knight and f2. White must choose how to deal with the threat: defend with Be3 and c3, trade on c6, or retreat with Nb3.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Be3, with Nxc6 and Nb3 close behind. 5.Be3 defends d4 and challenges the c5 bishop, and after ...Qf6 the c3 push keeps the knight secure.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.