Chess Openings·Scotch Game, Main Variation

Open Game

Scotch Game, Main Variation

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

Step through

7 / 7
  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
7 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
32
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/8/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4

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)

Nearby lines

first 7 moves shared

Scotch Game, Classical Variation…Bc5Scotch Game, Steinitz Defence…Qh4Scotch Game, Mieses Variation…Nf6 Nxc6 bxc6 e5Scotch Gambit…Bc4Scotch Game…Nf3 Nc6 d4Ruy Lopez…Bb5

Common questions

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

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

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 7 moves it is Black to move.