Chess opening · ECO C44
Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit
The Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4. It ranks #117 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
- 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
- 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
- 3. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 3... exd4Black takes the pawn on d4 with the e-pawn.
- 4. Bc4White develops the light-squared bishop to c4.
At the end of the line Black is a pawn up.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Nf6 is the most popular next move among players rated under 1200 and 2000 and up, though the favorite changes in between.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nf6 100% | – | – |
| 1200–1399 | h6 28% | Bc5 23% | Nf6 22% |
| 1400–1599 | h6 28% | Nf6 20% | Bc5 18% |
| 1600–1799 | Bc5 22% | Nf6 21% | h6 20% |
| 1800–1999 | Nf6 38% | Bc5 23% | h6 10% |
| 2000 and up | Nf6 51% | Bc5 27% | d6 14% |
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