The Cochrane Variation is a variation of the Scotch Game, catalogued as ECO C44. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. White’s c- and a-files pawns are isolated.
On the Scotch Game generally: An open game where White immediately challenges Black's center. Leads to active piece play.
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The Cochrane Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5. It is a variation of the Scotch Game and is catalogued as ECO C44.
The Cochrane Variation is ECO C44. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Scotch Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5 at -0.95 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for Black. 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 e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White’s c- and a-files pawns are isolated.