Caissa Codex
C45

Scotch Game: Braune Variation

Chess diagram: Scotch Game: Braune Variation after 5. Be3

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Statistics from Lichess

12,861 games: White 46.3% / Draw 4.2% / Black 49.5%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
11,22911K
607607
439439
424424
100100
1313
1313
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.06 The position is about equal

Best play: 5... Nf6 6. Nb5 Bb4+ 7. Nd2 Ba5 8. Be2 d6 9. O-O a6 10. a4

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Scotch Game: Braune Variation (ECO C45, Open Games) is a variation of the Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Be3 (5 moves).

In 12,861 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.3%, Black 49.5% and 4.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Qxe4, in 87% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5. Be3, the position after Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Scotch Game: Braune Variation (C45)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/scotch-game-braune-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/scotch-game-braune-variation