Tree path 7 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Scotch Game › Scotch Game › Scotch Game › Steinitz Variation

C45

Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation

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Overview

Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation is a named branch in the Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO C45.

The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.

The line arises from 8 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Scotch Game, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

5 named variations grow from this line, including Scotch Game: Braune Variation, Scotch Game: Fraser Variation, Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack, and others.

Together the deeper variations number 9 across the full subtree.

Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.

ECO code: C45
Group: Open Games (C)
Plies: 8
Parent: Scotch Game
Direct variations: 5
Total in subtree: 9

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

715,170 games · White 42.7% / Draw 5.4% / Black 51.9%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
Nc3	348,143
Nxc6	209,048
Qd3	66,714
Nb5	42,696
Be3	12,877
Nf3	12,474
Be2	8,555
Bd3	4,108

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:52:19

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Variations (5)

Show all 9 sub-variations (full subtree)

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Variations (5)

Related variations at the same level