Cochrane Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.d4exd4
- 4.Bc4Bb4+
- 5.c3dxc3
- 6.bxc3Ba5
- 7.e5
50 games
A rare branch of the Scotch Gambit's London Defense in which White, a pawn down, advances 7. e5 to gain space; engines clearly favor Black.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Cochrane Variation
The Cochrane Variation is a branch of the London Defense to the Scotch Gambit, reached after 4...Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 Ba5 7. e5. White recaptures on c3 with the b-pawn instead of castling, remains a pawn down, and pushes the e-pawn to gain space and take f6 from Black's king knight. The engine gives Black a clear advantage. 7...Nge7 is the usual reply, and 7...d5 and 7...Bb6 are also well regarded. The line is rarely played.