Chess Openings Lab
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Italian Game: Scotch Gambit

The Scotch Gambit arises after 3...Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O, where White castles and leaves the d4 pawn in Black's hands. White counts on quick development and an e5 push, while Black can grab e4 with the knight or develop with ...Bc5 and enter wild tactical lines.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O
ECO
C56
Engine
−0.12 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
3,734 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 5...Nxe4 play Re1, pin the knight, and after ...d5 use Bxd5 and Nc3 to win material back.
  • Against 5...Bc5 push e5 and answer ...d5 with exf6, then Re1+ against the king.
  • After 5...d6, take back on d4 with the knight and enjoy a free center and easy development.
  • Use the e-file and the c4 bishop together; Black's king is the target.

Black

  • 5...Nxe4 is the soundest grab: after Re1 hit back with ...d5 and bring the queen to a5.
  • If you play 5...Bc5, be ready for e5 and ...d5, where the g7 pawn falls but Black gets a piece.
  • Choose 5...d6 for a calmer game: develop ...Be7 and castle after Nxd4.
  • Do not try to keep every pawn; returning one for safe castling is often wise.

Plans and pawn structure

Everything depends on Black's fifth move. After 5...Nxe4 6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 Qxd5 8.Nc3 the queen and knight are pinned and chased, and material ends level with open lines. After 5...Bc5 the Max Lange Attack follows with sharp play on the e-file and g-file. After 5...d6 White regains the pawn with Nxd4 and plays with more space. In every case White wants Re1 and quick piece activity.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.12: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.12 5...Nxe4 6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 Qxd5 8.Nc3
  2. +0.20 5...Bc5 6.e5 d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.fxg7
  3. +0.44 5...d6 6.Nxd4 Be7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.a4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,734 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.6%.

under 120056.5%
1200–159951.6%
1600–199952.1%
2000 and up49.8%

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

Where it goes next

  • Scotch Gambit, Anderssen Attack, Main Line5...Nxe4 · rare
  • Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Berger Variation5...Bc5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, take with 5...Nxe4 and answer Re1 with ...d5. Bring the queen to a5 after the trades to keep the knight protected. If you prefer calm play, choose 5...d6 and give the pawn back. Don't play passively with the king left in the center, since Re1 arrives fast.

Questions

What are the moves of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit?

The Italian Game: Scotch Gambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O. Its ECO code is C56.

Is the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.12 at depth 20, which is level. In 3,734 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.6%. A sharp choice for attacking White players, and Black needs to know at least one of the main replies well.

What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit?

White leaves the d4 pawn to Black and castles for quick development. Black can take e4 with the knight, enter the sharp Max Lange with ...Bc5, or play ...d6 and return the pawn.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe4, with Bc5 and d6 close behind. 5...Nxe4 grabs a second pawn, and after Re1 d5 Black gives back material to finish development safely.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.