Italian Game: Scotch Gambit

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C56), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black bishop — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Continue from this position

5 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

5…Nxe4 5 lines
5…Bc5 3 lines
- C56 Max Lange Attack +2
5…exd4 2 lines
- C56 Max Lange Attack Accepted
- C56 Walbrodt-Baird Gambit
5…Be7 1 line
- C56 de Riviere Defense
5…d6 1 line
- C56 Janowski Defense

About this opening

Italian Game: Scotch Gambit is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C56. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Scotch Gambit line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Nf6, 4.d4 exd4, 5.O-O. From this position 5 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.