Scotch Gambit, Cochrane-Anderssen Variation

The Cochrane-Anderssen Variation arises from the Haxo Gambit after 5. O-O, when Black avoids 5...Nf6 6. e5, the Max Lange Attack, which is considered favorable for White. Instead 5...d6 shores up the center, and after 6. c3, which offers a second pawn and prepares to rebuild the center, 6...Bg4 develops the bishop with a pin on the f3-knight. The pin weakens White's control of d4 and e5 and leaves Black a pawn up, with doubled d-pawns on d6 and d4 and half-open d- and e-files. The resulting positions tend to be sharp, and both kings can come under fire.

White most often recaptures at once with 7. cxd4, restoring material and hitting the c5-bishop. The alternatives are 7. h3, putting the question to the bishop, and 7. Qb3, which targets b7 and f7 and has scored noticeably better for White than the other moves in online play. The engine rates all three as roughly balanced, and overall Black has scored well from this position in online games.