Tree path 8 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Scotch Game › Scotch Game › Scotch Game › Steinitz Variation › Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation
C45

Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation

Open in Lichess
Share: X Reddit Telegram Facebook
Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C45), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

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

Play reaches this position via 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nc3, after 9 plies of opening development.

The line refines Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.

It continues primarily into one named line, Scotch Game: Modern Defense.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
C45
Group
Open Games (C)
Plies
9
Parent
Scotch Game: Steinitz Variation
Direct variations
1

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

348,031 games · White 44.9% / Draw 5.0% / Black 50.1%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Bb4321,435
Bc521,092
Nf63,360
Nxd4999
Ne5228
Qxe4+169
d5164
d6120

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:05:29

Write a description

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Variations (1)