Chess Openings Lab
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Scotch Game: Göring Gambit

The Göring Gambit is 3...exd4 4.c3, where White offers a pawn to speed up development. Black can accept with ...dxc3, decline with ...d5, or play ...Nf6, while White hopes for open lines and quick attacks on f7.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3
ECO
C44
Engine
−0.23 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
5,707 games in our lichess sample
White scores
55.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After ...dxc3, recapture Nxc3 and play Bc4 and O-O for rapid development.
  • Bc4 can also come first, offering a second pawn for an even bigger lead.
  • Against ...d5, take exd5 and cxd4 to reach a position with an isolated d-pawn.
  • Push e5 against ...Nf6 to gain space, kick the knight to d5 and then recapture cxd4.

Black

  • Decline with ...d5, then after exd5 and cxd4 use ...Bb4+ and ...Bg4 to develop with tempo.
  • Accept with ...dxc3 and develop with ...Bc5, ...d6 and ...Nge7, castling before anything else.
  • Play ...Nf6 and after e5 hop to d5, aiming for a centralized knight.
  • Keep f7 protected and castle quickly when accepting, because White's c4 bishop and queen will aim there.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black accepts, White has a lead in development and open c- and d-files. White plays Bc4, O-O, Qb3 and e5 to attack, while Black consolidates with ...d6, ...Nge7 and ...O-O. If Black declines with ...d5, White ends up with an isolated d4 pawn after cxd4 and uses it for space and attacking chances. Black targets d4 and blockades on d5. Both sides need active pieces in an open position.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has an isolated queen pawn. White has an isolated d-pawn: no white pawns on the c- or e-file to support it.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.23: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.23 4...d5 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3
  2. −0.23 4...dxc3 5.Nxc3 Bc5 6.Bc4 d6 7.O-O
  3. −0.04 4...Nf6 5.e5 Nd5 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bb5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

5,707 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.8%.

under 120055.9%
1200–159954.8%
1600–199957.5%
2000 and up51.8%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, the calmest answer is ...d5, which returns the center and gives a level game with an isolated pawn for White. If you accept with ...dxc3, develop first and castle before grabbing more. As White, play fast and do not worry about the pawn: development is your compensation.

Questions

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

The Scotch Game: Göring Gambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3. Its ECO code is C44.

Is the Scotch Game: Göring Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.23 at depth 20, which is level. In 5,707 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.8%. A lively gambit for attacking White players at club level, but a well-prepared Black player is fine with ...d5 or careful acceptance.

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

White sacrifices a pawn with c3 to get open lines and a lead in development. Black can accept and consolidate, or decline with ...d5 for a level game.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with dxc3 and Nf6 close behind. 4...d5 returns the pawn and strikes in the center, leaving White with an isolated d-pawn after cxd4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.