The Rosenthal Variation is a variation of the Scotch Game, catalogued as ECO C45. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Kd8 8. O-O Bxd2 9. Nxd2 Qg6, 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. White is ahead in development, with four minor pieces out to Black's two, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; 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 Rosenthal Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Kd8 8. O-O Bxd2 9. Nxd2 Qg6. It is a variation of the Scotch Game and is catalogued as ECO C45.
The Rosenthal Variation is ECO C45. 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. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Kd8 8. O-O Bxd2 9. Nxd2 Qg6 at +0.18 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. White is ahead in development, with four minor pieces out to Black's two, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; the e-file file is fully open.