Scotch Game: Cochrane-Shumov Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
8,983 games: White 35.5% / Draw 8.3% / Black 56.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,6233,623 | ||
| 2,2722,272 | ||
| 2,1482,148 | ||
| 290290 | ||
| 189189 | ||
| 178178 | ||
| 8787 | ||
| 6767 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 24, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 10. O-O dxe4 11. c3 Qd6 12. Qxd6 cxd6 13. cxd4 Nxd4 14. Nc3 Bg4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Scotch Game: Cochrane-Shumov Defense (ECO C44, Open Games) is a variation of the Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Sarratt Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. Ng5 Nh6 6. Nxf7 Nxf7 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qxc5 d5 (9 moves).
In 8,983 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 35.5%, Black 56.2% and 8.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. O-O, in 40% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Scotch Game: Cochrane-Shumov Defense
The most played answer, 10. O-O, also scores best for White: 48.4%, with White winning 43.7% and Black 46.9% of 3,623 games. Of the main answers, 10. exd5 scores lowest: 29.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10. O-O.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Scotch Game: Cochrane-Shumov Defense (C44)”. Lichess data as of 24 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/scotch-game-cochrane-shumov-defense