Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, de Riviere Defense
The de Riviere Defense is 5...Be7 in the Scotch Gambit, where Black calmly develops instead of grabbing e4 or entering the Max Lange. White can take back on d4 with the knight, push e5 or play Re1, and Black aims to castle and give back the pawn safely.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7
- ECO
- C56
- Engine
- +0.40 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 461 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Recapture with Nxd4; if the knight jumps to e5, retreat the bishop to b3 and play Nc3.
- Use Re1 and e5 to drive the f6 knight to e8, then win back the d4 pawn.
- After e5 Ne4, keep the pressure with Re1 and Bd5 to exploit the knight's awkward position.
- Play Kh1 and f4 in some lines to gain kingside space against the black king.
Black
- After Nxd4, jump with ...Ne5 to hit the c4 bishop, then bring the bishop back to c5.
- Castle short as soon as possible; the bishop on e7 keeps the kingside safe.
- Answer an early e5 with ...Ne4 and ...d5, opening lines for Black's pieces.
- Do not cling to the d4 pawn; return it for development and a healthy structure.
Plans and pawn structure
Black gives back the pawn in return for safe development. After 6.Nxd4 Ne5 7.Bb3 Bc5 8.Nc3 d6 the position resembles a quiet open game: White has a little more space, and Black has active knights. White builds with Kh1, f4 and Qe2, playing on the kingside. Black castles, plays ...Re8 and ...c6 or ...Bd7, and looks for ...d5 to free the center.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.40: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.40 6.Nxd4 Ne5 7.Bb3 Bc5 8.Nc3 d6
- +0.32 6.Re1 O-O 7.e5 Ne8 8.Nxd4 Nxd4
- +0.04 6.e5 Ne4 7.Re1 d5 8.exd6 Nxd6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
461 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, recapture with 6.Nxd4 and meet ...Ne5 with Bb3. Develop with Nc3 and build kingside play with Kh1 and f4. Avoid trading the c4 bishop for the e5 knight. If you push e5 early, be ready for ...Ne4 and ...d5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, de Riviere Defense?
The Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, de Riviere Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7. Its ECO code is C56.
Is the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, de Riviere Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.40 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 461 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.3%. A sensible choice for Black players who want to avoid the Max Lange, but it gives White a slightly freer game.
What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, de Riviere Defense?
Black develops with ...Be7 and plans to castle and return the pawn. White regains it with Nxd4 or e5, and the game becomes a quieter open position where White has a small space edge.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nxd4, with Re1 and e5 close behind. 6.Nxd4 wins the pawn back at once and keeps the center open for White's pieces.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.