Chess Openings Lab
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Scotch Game: Modern Defense

The Modern Defense of the Scotch is 4...Qh4 5.Nc3 Bb4, where Black's queen and bishop target e4 together. White can give the pawn with Be2 for a strong initiative, or defend it carefully, while Black hopes to grab e4 and survive with the king in the center.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 5.Nc3 Bb4
ECO
C45
Engine
+0.79 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
255 games in our lichess sample
White scores
45.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Be2, and after ...Qxe4 jump Nb5 to hit c7 and force ...Kd8.
  • Castle and use the open lines against Black's king, as in the engine line after ...Bxc3+ and bxc3.
  • Be3 with Nb5 is a quieter option that still pressures c7 and keeps e4 defended.
  • Avoid Nxc6 lines that let Black take on c3 and then e4 with check.

Black

  • Take e4 with ...Qxe4 when it comes with gain of material and no danger.
  • Trade on c3 to stop White's knight from joining the attack and to double White's pawns.
  • Develop ...Nf6 quickly and tuck the king on d8 or castle after ...d6.
  • Meet Nb5 with ...Ba5 or ...Kd8 so c7 stays covered and no fork lands there.

Plans and pawn structure

After 6.Be2 Qxe4 7.Nb5, Black's king walks to d8, and White has doubled c-pawns but open lines and a lead in development. White castles, brings rooks to e1 and b1, and attacks with Bf3 and Re1 against the stuck king. Black wants ...Nf6, ...d6 and ...Re8 to consolidate, with the king sheltering on d8 until the position calms down. In quieter lines, the pin on c3 and pressure on e4 decide whether Black equalizes.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.79: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.79 6.Be2 Qxe4 7.Nb5 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Kd8
  2. +0.10 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nb5 Ba5 8.Bd2 Nxe4
  3. −0.09 6.Nxc6 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Qxe4+ 8.Be2 Qxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

255 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 45.1%.

1200–159937.9%
1600–199947.6%
2000 and up45.6%

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

How to play against it

As White, play 6.Be2 and offer e4. After ...Qxe4 and Nb5, Black must play ...Kd8, and the initiative is real because Black's king cannot castle. As Black, think twice before taking e4, and prefer development with ...Nf6 if you do not know the lines well.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scotch Game: Modern Defense?

The Scotch Game: Modern Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 5.Nc3 Bb4. Its ECO code is C45.

Is the Scotch Game: Modern Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.79 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 255 lichess games from our sample, White scored 45.1%. A risky choice for Black players who like material, and White players who know the Be2 and Nb5 idea get a strong initiative.

What is the main idea of the Scotch Game: Modern Defense?

Black's queen and bishop gang up on e4. White can give the pawn with Be2 and Nb5 for a strong attack, or defend with Be3 and keep a calmer game.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Be2, with Be3 and Nxc6 close behind. 6.Be2 offers e4, and after ...Qxe4 Nb5 hits c7 so Black's king must move.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.