The Blumenfeld Attack is a variation of the Scotch Gambit, catalogued as ECO C56. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move after six moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file; the e-file file is fully open.
On the Scotch Gambit generally: White gambits the d-pawn and develops the bishop to c4 for rapid piece activity and attacking chances.
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See all 4 Scotch Gambit variations →
The Blumenfeld Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1. It is a variation of the Scotch Gambit and is catalogued as ECO C56.
The Blumenfeld Attack is ECO C56. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Scotch Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Re1 at -0.29 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. 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.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file; the e-file file is fully open.