Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Janowski Defense
The Janowski Defense is 5...d6 in the Scotch Gambit, where Black opens the c8 bishop and holds the d4 pawn for a moment. White takes it back with the knight and gets a space edge, and Black aims for a compact setup with ...Be7 and ...O-O.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.O-O d6
- ECO
- C56
- Engine
- +0.37 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 465 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 55.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Recapture with Nxd4 and develop with Nc3, then gain queenside space with a4.
- Play h3 to keep Black's pieces off g4, where a knight or bishop would bother White.
- Use Re1 to back up the e4 pawn and to prepare f4 or e5 later.
- After ...Nxd4, take back with the queen and centralize it on d4.
Black
- Develop with ...Be7 and ...O-O, then trade knights on d4 to reduce White's space.
- Use ...Ng4 after the queen recaptures on d4 to target f2 and h2.
- Play ...a5 against a4 to keep the b4 square for a knight.
- Look for ...Re8 and ...Bf8 to put pressure on the e4 pawn.
Plans and pawn structure
After 6.Nxd4 Be7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.a4 a5 9.h3 the position is a Philidor-like structure: White has the e4 pawn and more space, Black has the small center pawn on d6. White plays f4, Qf3 or Re1 to build kingside pressure. Black trades a pair of knights, plays ...Re8 and ...Bf8, and aims for ...d5 to free the game. Patience matters more than tactics here.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.37: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.37 6.Nxd4 Be7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.a4 a5
- +0.27 6.Re1 Be7 7.Nxd4 O-O 8.Nc3 Nxd4
- +0.10 6.Bb5 Be7 7.Nxd4 Bd7 8.Nxc6 Bxc6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
465 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, take back on d4 with the knight and develop Nc3. Add h3 and a4 to limit Black's knights. Avoid allowing ...Nxd4 and ...Ng4 when the queen recaptures, since f2 becomes a target. Keep the space edge and build slowly.
Questions
What are the moves of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Janowski Defense?
The Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Janowski Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.O-O d6. Its ECO code is C56.
Is the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Janowski Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.37 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 465 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.3%. A solid but passive choice for Black that suits defensive players; White keeps a pleasant space edge without risk.
What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Scotch Gambit, Janowski Defense?
Black plays ...d6 to develop solidly and gives the pawn back. White regains it with Nxd4 and keeps more space, while Black aims for ...Be7, ...O-O and ...Re8 and a later ...d5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nxd4, with Re1 and Bb5 close behind. 6.Nxd4 restores material and centralizes the knight before Black can castle.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.