ChessAnalyzerScotch Game: moves, ideas and plans
White opens the centre on move three with d4. Clear plans, open lines and fast development.
C45Play it as WhiteBeginner15 moves
Main line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4
Key ideas
- d4 trades a central pawn and frees White's pieces.
- After Nxc6 bxc6, e5 gains space and hits the f6 knight.
- c4 later stops a black knight from settling on d5.
The Scotch Game move by move
Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as C45 Scotch Game: Mieses Variation.
- 1. e4Centre.
- 1… e5Symmetrical.
- 2. Nf3Attacks e5.
- 2… Nc6Defends it.
- 3. d4The Scotch: White challenges the centre at once.
- 3… exd4Black takes; holding e5 is not possible.
- 4. Nxd4White recaptures with a strong central knight.
- 4… Nf6Develops and counter-attacks e4.
- 5. Nxc6The Mieses Variation: White trades so Black's pawn structure is damaged.
- 5… bxc6Black recaptures towards the centre.
- 6. e5Gains space and chases the knight from f6.
- 6… Qe7Pins the e5 pawn against the white king: the knight on f6 cannot be won.
- 7. Qe2Breaks the pin and defends e5.
- 7… Nd5The knight finds a central square.
- 8. c4Kicks the knight away from d5 and grabs space.
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More openings for White
Italian Game
Fast development and a bishop aimed at f7, the weakest square in Black's camp. The classic first opening to learn with White.
Two Knights: the Fried Liver trap
A sharp attacking line. If Black recaptures on d5 with the knight, White can sacrifice on f7 and hunt the king into the open.
Ruy Lopez
The Spanish Game: slow, deep pressure on Black's centre. A lifetime opening played at every level.