The Hanneken 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. O-O cxb2 7. Bxb2 Nf6 8. Ng5 O-O 9. e5 Nxe5, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up three points of material. It is White to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; the e-file file is fully open.
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 Hanneken Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. O-O cxb2 7. Bxb2 Nf6 8. Ng5 O-O 9. e5 Nxe5. It is a variation of the Scotch Game and is catalogued as ECO C44.
The Hanneken 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. O-O cxb2 7. Bxb2 Nf6 8. Ng5 O-O 9. e5 Nxe5 at +0.21 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.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up three points of material. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; the e-file file is fully open.