The Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line is a variation of the Four Knights Game, catalogued as ECO C47. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black’s a- and c-files pawns are isolated; the e-file file is fully open.
On the Four Knights Game generally: A symmetrical opening leading to equal but interesting positions. Good for beginners.
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The Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O. It is a variation of the Four Knights Game and is catalogued as ECO C47.
The Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line is ECO C47. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Four Knights Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O at +0.17 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black’s a- and c-files pawns are isolated; the e-file file is fully open.