Chess Openings Lab
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Scotch Game: Schmidt Variation

The Schmidt Variation is 4...Nf6, where Black develops and hits the e4 pawn at once. White chooses between Nxc6 and e5 for space, or Nc3 for a Scotch Four Knights, while Black aims for ...Bb4 and ...d5 to free the game.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
ECO
C45
Engine
+0.14 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
4,079 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Trade Nxc6 and push e5, as in the top engine line, to drive the knight from f6.
  • Defend e4 with Nc3 and answer ...Bb4 with Nxc6 and Bd3, a Scotch Four Knights setup.
  • Avoid Qd3, which allows ...Bb4+ and lets Black develop with tempo against the queen.
  • After the e5 push, defend the pawn with Qe2 and play c4.

Black

  • Answer Nxc6 with ...bxc6 and pin the pawn with ...Qe7 after White pushes e5.
  • Against Nc3, play ...Bb4, ...d5 and ...O-O for fast development and central play.
  • Use ...d5 to open the center when White's pieces are not ready.
  • Target the e5 pawn with ...d6 when it becomes overextended and lacks support.

Plans and pawn structure

In the Mieses line, White's e5 pawn and healthy queenside face Black's bishop pair and open lines, with ...Qe7 and ...Nd5 key ideas. In the Four Knights line, after ...Bb4, Nxc6, ...bxc6 and Bd3, Black plays ...d5 and both sides castle. Black's piece activity balances White's better structure. White's best plans use e5 or the bishop pair on open lines.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.14: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.14 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5
  2. +0.07 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5
  3. −0.22 5.Qd3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Bc5 7.Nxc6 bxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

4,079 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.6%.

under 120049.7%
1200–159950.0%
1600–199948.1%
2000 and up52.8%

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

Where it goes next

  • Mieses Variation5.Nxc6 · 933 games
  • Alekhine Gambit5.e5 · rare
  • Tartakower Variation5.Nxc6 · rare

How to play against it

As White, choose between 5.Nxc6 with e5 and the solid Nc3 and know the follow-up for each. Avoid Qd3, which lets Black develop with check. As Black, meet Nc3 with ...Bb4 and ...d5, and pin e5 with ...Qe7 if White pushes after the trade on c6.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scotch Game: Schmidt Variation?

The Scotch Game: Schmidt Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6. Its ECO code is C45.

Is the Scotch Game: Schmidt Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.14 at depth 20, which is level. In 4,079 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.6%. A reliable choice for Black players who want active development, and White players need a clear system in mind.

What is the main idea of the Scotch Game: Schmidt Variation?

Black develops the knight to f6 and attacks e4. White responds either by trading on c6 and pushing e5, or by defending with Nc3, and the play is balanced.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxc6, with Nc3 and Qd3 close behind. 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 kicks the knight and leads to the Mieses Variation.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.