The Max Lange Attack is a variation of the Scotch Gambit, catalogued as ECO C55. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d4). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn 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.
On the Scotch Gambit generally: White gambits the d-pawn and develops the bishop to c4 for rapid piece activity and attacking chances.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 4 Scotch Gambit variations →
The Max Lange Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5. It is a variation of the Scotch Gambit and is catalogued as ECO C55.
The Max Lange Attack is ECO C55. 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 Bc5 6. e5 at +0.51 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d4). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn 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.