Caissa Codex
C45

Scotch Game: Fraser Variation

Chess diagram: Scotch Game: Fraser Variation after 5. Nf3

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

13,427 games: White 47.0% / Draw 4.3% / Black 48.6%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
13,27113K
3131
2929
2424
2222
2020
1313
77

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026

Engine evaluation

0.00 The position is about equal

Best play: 5... Qxe4+ 6. Be2 Bb4+ 7. c3 Be7 8. O-O Nf6 9. c4 O-O 10. Nc3

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

Overview

Scotch Game: Fraser 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. Nf3 (5 moves).

In 13,427 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.0%, Black 48.6% and 4.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Qxe4+, in 99% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5. Nf3, the position after Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

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

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