Chess Openings·Scotch Game, Classical Variation

Open Game

Scotch Game, Classical Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5

Step through

8 / 8
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

Central pawns disappear early and the lines swing open. A pawn takes the centre from the very first move. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
42
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 2
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
r1bqk1nr/pppp1ppp/2n5/2b5/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 1 5

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…e5Black: Pawn e7→e5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  4. 2…Nc6Black: Knight b8→c6
  5. 3.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  6. 3…exd4Black: Pawn e5→d4 (capture)
  7. 4.Nxd4White: Knight f3→d4 (capture)
  8. 4…Bc5Black: Bishop f8→c5

Nearby lines

first 7 moves shared

Scotch Game, Mieses Variation…Nf6 Nxc6 bxc6 e5Scotch Gambit…Bc4Scotch Game…Nf3 Nc6 d4Ruy Lopez…Bb5Italian Game…Bc4Ponziani Opening…c3

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Scotch Game, Classical Variation?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 8 moves it is White to move.