Scotch Game: Classical Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C45), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5.

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Continue from this position

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5.Be3 2 lines
- C45 Blackburne Attack
- C45 Millennium Variation
5.Nxc6 1 line
- C45 Intermezzo Variation

About this opening

Scotch Game: Classical Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C45. 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 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5.

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

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.d4 exd4, 4.Nxd4 Bc5. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.