Caissa Codex
C45

Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation

Chess diagram: Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation after 5. Nf5

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Statistics from Lichess

1,872 games: White 42.9% / Draw 3.4% / Black 53.7%

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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.52 Black is slightly better

Best play: 5... Qxe4+ 6. Ne3 Qe5 7. Bc4 Bb4+ 8. c3 Bc5 9. O-O Nf6 10. Na3

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

Overview

Scotch Game: Paulsen 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. Nf5 (5 moves).

In 1,872 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.9%, Black 53.7% and 3.4% 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. Nf5, the position after Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Scotch Game: Paulsen Variation (C45)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/scotch-game-paulsen-variation

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