Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit
The Scotch Gambit is 3...exd4 4.Bc4, where White develops the bishop toward f7 instead of recapturing on d4. Black chooses between ...Nf6, ...Bc5 and ...Bb4+, while White aims for quick development, e5 or c3, and play against f7.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4
- ECO
- C44
- Engine
- −0.06 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 12,939 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Against ...Nf6, push e5 and after ...d5 play Bb5 with a lively position.
- Against ...Bc5, play c3 and take back cxd4, gaining a big center.
- Castle early and win back d4 with the knight when Black's pieces can no longer defend it.
- Watch transpositions into Two Knights and Max Lange lines after O-O and ...Nf6.
Black
- Play ...Nf6 to hit e4, then ...d5 against e5 to free the c8 bishop.
- Develop ...Bc5 to hold d4, and meet c3 with ...Nf6 hitting e4.
- Check with ...Bb4+ and, after c3, take ...dxc3 to grab more material.
- Keep f7 defended and castle short as soon as possible against Ng5 tricks.
Plans and pawn structure
After 4...Nf6 5.e5 d5 the game turns into an open position where White's e5 pawn is strong and Black's center is free. After 4...Bc5 5.c3 Nf6 6.cxd4 Bb4+ the play is about White's center against Black's quick ...d5. After ...Bb4+ and c3, Black can grab more with ...dxc3. In all lines, White plays for speed and pressure on f7, while Black needs active defense and a timely ...d5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.06: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.06 4...Nf6 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Ne4 7.Nxd4
- −0.03 4...Bc5 5.c3 Nf6 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Bd2
- 0.00 4...Bb4+ 5.c3 dxc3 6.bxc3 Ba5 7.O-O
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
12,939 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Haxo Gambit4...Bc5 · 3,612 games
- Scotch Gambit, Advance Variation4...Nf6 · 1,647 games
- Scotch Gambit, London Defense4...Bb4+ · 1,271 games
- Two Knights Defense, Max Lange Attack, Loman Defense4...Bc5 · rare
- Hanneken Variation4...Bb4+ · rare
- Two Knights Defense, Yurdansky Attack4...Nf6 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, ...Nf6 or ...Bc5 are the cleanest answers. Know the ...d5 strike against e5 or after cxd4. Avoid grabbing more pawns without development. As White, keep the initiative and do not let Black consolidate the extra pawn with quiet moves like ...d6 and ...Be7.
Questions
What are the moves of the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit?
The Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4. Its ECO code is C44.
Is the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.06 at depth 20, which is level. In 12,939 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.5%. A practical gambit for club players who like open games, and Black is fine by knowing the ...d5 counter.
What is the main idea of the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit?
White develops the bishop to c4 instead of recapturing on d4, playing for speed. Black can return the pawn with ...Nf6 and ...d5 or hold it with ...Bc5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf6, with Bc5 and Bb4+ close behind. 4...Nf6 develops with a hit on e4 and sets up the ...d5 counterstrike.
Related lines
- Scotch Game
- Lolli Variation
- Classical Variation
- Göring Gambit
- Schmidt Variation
- Haxo Gambit
- How to beat the Scotch Gameguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.