Chess Openings Lab
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Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Réti Defense

The Dubois Réti Defense is the Two Knights order 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4, where Black takes on d4 and hits e4. White can push e5, castle and allow ...Nxe4, or try Ng5, with each option leading into a different well-known system.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4
ECO
C44
Engine
−0.02 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,598 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Push e5 and answer ...d5 with Bb5, keeping a strong pawn on e5.
  • Castle and after ...Nxe4 play Re1 and Bxd5 for open lines, the Italian Scotch Gambit route.
  • Ng5 leads to the Perreux line, with an immediate attack on the f7 pawn.
  • Avoid Nxd4, which allows ...Nxe4 and gives Black an easy, active game.

Black

  • Answer e5 with ...d5, then develop with ...Nd7 and ...Be7 behind the center.
  • Against O-O, take ...Nxe4 and follow with ...d5 to return material safely.
  • Against Ng5, defend f7 with ...d5 or ...Ne5 and avoid passive retreats.
  • Keep the d4 pawn while you develop quickly, then castle short as soon as you can.

Plans and pawn structure

The position is the same as the Scotch Gambit with ...Nf6, reached through the Two Knights move order. After 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5, White pins and plans to win back d4, often trading on c6 first. After 5.O-O Nxe4 6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 Qxd5 8.Nc3, open lines and active pieces are White's compensation for the pawn. After Ng5, the play centers on f7. Black needs to be ready for sharp tactics in all branches.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.02: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. −0.02 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Nd7 7.O-O Be7
  2. −0.09 5.O-O Nxe4 6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 Qxd5
  3. −0.56 5.Nxd4 Nxe4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Qe2 Qe7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,598 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.

under 120051.4%
1200–159948.4%
1600–199952.7%
2000 and up46.8%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, choose e5 or castling: both lead to well-known, balanced lines. Do not take on d4 with the knight, because ...Nxe4 leaves Black comfortable. As Black, know the ...d5 answers to e5 and to O-O, and keep f7 covered against Ng5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Réti Defense?

The Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Réti Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4. Its ECO code is C44.

Is the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Réti Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.02 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,598 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A theoretical crossroads for both sides that rewards knowledge of the main lines.

What is the main idea of the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Réti Defense?

Black takes on d4 in a Two Knights position. White chooses between e5, castling and Ng5, each leading into a known system.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with O-O and Nxd4 close behind. 5.e5 kicks the knight and leads to positions where Black plays ...d5 and White pins with Bb5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.