Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation
The Intermezzo Variation is 5.Nxc6 Qf6, where Black ignores the knight and threatens mate on f2 first. White must cover f2 with the queen, and then Black recaptures on c6 with either pawn, choosing an open game with active bishops.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6
- ECO
- C45
- Engine
- +0.18 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,274 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 48.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Stop the mate with Qf3, and after ...bxc6 and Nc3 the queen can go to g3 to hit g7.
- Qd2 or Qe2 also cover f2. After ...dxc6, Nc3 and Na4 chase Black's c5 bishop.
- Trading queens on f3 gives White the healthier pawns in an equal endgame.
- Use Bc4 or Qe3 to challenge Black's pieces once development is complete.
Black
- Threaten ...Qxf2 mate with the queen and bishop, then take back on c6.
- Recapture ...dxc6 to free the c8 bishop and play ...Be6 and ...Bd6.
- After ...bxc6, the bishop can go to d4 to hit c3 and b2.
- Develop the g8 knight to h6 or e7 so f7 stays protected.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's ...Qf6 is a move-order trick. After White covers f2, Black has two bishops and quick development but a broken queenside. With ...dxc6, the d-file opens and the game becomes calm, with ...Be6, ...Bd6 and castling. With ...bxc6, Black keeps the d-pawn for the center and uses the b-file. White wants Nc3, Bc4 or Be2, castling and play against Black's queenside pawns in a later endgame.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.18: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.18 6.Qf3 bxc6 7.Nc3 Bd4 8.Qg3 d6
- +0.09 6.Qd2 dxc6 7.Nc3 Be6 8.Na4 Bd6
- +0.08 6.Qe2 dxc6 7.Nc3 Be6 8.Na4 Bd6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,274 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, play 6.Qf3 to cover f2 and offer a queen trade, or Qe2 if you want to keep queens. Do not try to keep the knight with Nd4: covering mate comes first. As Black, recapture on c6 next and develop smoothly with ...Be6 or ...Bd4.
Questions
What are the moves of the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation?
The Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6. Its ECO code is C45.
Is the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.18 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,274 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.1%. A tidy line for Black players who like open bishops, and White needs to remember the mate threat and accept a level game.
What is the main idea of the Scotch Game: Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation?
Black inserts ...Qf6, threatening mate on f2, before recapturing on c6. White covers f2 with the queen and the game becomes an open, roughly level position with Black's bishops active.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Qf3, with Qd2 and Qe2 close behind. 6.Qf3 covers f2 and offers a queen trade, while ...bxc6 and Nc3 lead to quiet development.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.