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Scotch Game: Lolli Variation with 4...Nxd4 — Playing Black
You've traded knights early in the Scotch, and now White has to decide what to do with their queen. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 Nxd4 4.Nxd4 exd4 you've already steered the game into the Lolli Variation, and it's White's turn. The position is straightforward but sharp: whoever understands the next few moves will get a much easier game. Below you can play the position against the engine — the drill will adapt to your level and punish any slips. Let's look at what the statistics and the engine say about your chances as Black.
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The Lolli Variation after 4...exd4 has been played over a million times in online games, and the results are clear. Stockfish evaluates the position at +0.63, which is a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse as Black — but the engine edge is modest, and the practical results show plenty of opportunities. In the database of 1,072,525 games, White wins 55.8%, Black wins 39.6%, and draws make up just 4.7%. This is not a lost cause: you win roughly four of every ten games from this position. The key is knowing how to respond to White's most popular move.
The Main Line: White Plays 5.Qxd4
By far the most common move is 5.Qxd4, appearing in over a million games. White grabs the pawn back immediately and develops the queen to the centre. The engine endorses this as the best move. After 5.Qxd4 the natural reply is 5...Qf6 — you challenge the queen and attack the undefended pawn on b2. White usually continues 6.e5 Qb6, chasing your queen and gaining space. This line is extremely well-trodden, so learning a few key ideas here will serve you well. If you play 5...Qf6, you keep the game in the main river; any other move lets White keep their small edge more comfortably.
Three Mistakes White Can Make — and How to Punish Them
Your opponent might try to avoid the main line, and some of those alternatives are outright mistakes. Here are the three to look for, all of which swing the evaluation in your favour if you reply correctly: - 5.c3 — This loses about 1.0 pawns compared to 5.Qxd4. It's a slow move that doesn't challenge anything. You can simply develop or take the pawn on d4 with your queen. - 5.Bd3 — This loses about 1.1 pawns. A natural-looking developing move, but it ignores the unprotected pawn on d4. Grab it with your queen and you'll be clearly better. - 5.Qd3 — This loses about 1.4 pawns, the worst of the three. White blocks their own bishop and leaves the d4 pawn hanging. Your queen to f6 or simply ...Qxd4 leaves you with a comfortable advantage. If White plays any of these, you have a great chance to turn the tables early.
Your Plan After the Main Line 5.Qxd4 Qf6 6.e5 Qb6
After 5.Qxd4 Qf6 6.e5 Qb6, the board is relatively open. Your queen has been chased but is safe on b6, eyeing the b2 pawn. White's e5 pawn gives them a space advantage but also creates a target. Your general plan: finish developing your kingside (Nf6 or Ne7, Bc5 or Bb4), castle short, and put pressure on the e5 pawn. The d7-d6 break is a typical way to challenge White's centre. With the queens still on the board and no immediate threats, this is a lively middlegame where your active pieces can compensate for White's slight edge. The engine line continues with moves like Nc3, Nf6, Bc4, and Be7 — developing naturally and aiming to complete your development before turning up the pressure.
Results across 1,072,525 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qxd4 | 1,045,296 | 55.9% |
| Bc4 | 15,237 | 55.5% |
| c3 | 6,344 | 54.4% |
| Bd3 | 1,422 | 49.6% |
| Qd3 | 1,368 | 42.6% |
| Qd2 | 581 | 44.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scotch Game Lolli Variation good for Black?
It's playable but slightly worse. Stockfish gives White a +0.63 edge, and White wins about 56% of games from this position. That said, Black still wins nearly 40% of the time, and many of White's alternative fifth moves are outright mistakes you can punish.
What is the best response to 5.Qxd4 in the Lolli Variation?
Play 5...Qf6, attacking the queen and threatening the b2 pawn. White's best reply is 6.e5 Qb6, after which you have a solid position with active play. This is the main line played in over a million games.
What are the common mistakes White can make in this variation?
The three biggest mistakes are 5.c3 (loses ~1.0 pawns), 5.Bd3 (loses ~1.1 pawns), and especially 5.Qd3 (loses ~1.4 pawns). In each case you can grab the d4 pawn with your queen and come out with a clear advantage.
Should I play 4...Nxd4 or 4...exd4 in the Scotch Game?
Both are playable, but the Lolli Variation specifically goes 4...Nxd4 5.Nxd4 exd4. Taking with the knight first is the move that defines this variation. It leads to an open, tactical game where Black's chances are decent despite White's slight statistical edge.
How many games feature the Scotch Game: Lolli Variation: Nxd4?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Scotch Game: Lolli Variation: Nxd4 position. White wins 55.8%, Black wins 39.6%, with 4.7% draws — based on real rated games.