C45beginner

Scotch Game

An aggressive opening where White immediately challenges the center. Garry Kasparov revived this opening in the 1990s.

39%
White wins
29%
Draw
32%
Black wins

Main Line Moves

1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.d4exd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nxc6bxc66.e5Qe77.Qe2Nd58.c4Ba69.b3g610.Ba3Qe611.Nd2Bg712.O-O-OO-O-O13.Re1Rhe814.Nf3Nb415.Bb2c516.Nd4Qd5
1.Center control
2.Symmetrical center
3.Develops and attacks e5
4.Defends e5
5.The Scotch! Immediately opens the center
6.Black must capture

Key Ideas

  • 1Immediate central confrontation
  • 2Open lines for rapid development
  • 3Active piece play for both sides
  • 4Leads to dynamic middlegames

Variations

Classical

e4e5Nf3Nc6d4exd4Nxd4Bc5Be3Qf6c3Nge7Bc4Ne5Be2Qg6O-Od6

Black develops actively against the knight with Bc5

Scotch Gambit

e4e5Nf3Nc6d4exd4Bc4Nf6e5d5Bb5Ne4Nxd4Bd7Bxc6bxc6O-O

White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances

Mieses Variation

e4e5Nf3Nc6d4exd4Nxd4Nf6Nxc6bxc6e5Qe7Qe2Nd5c4Ba6Nd2

Main line exchange on c6 leading to endgame-type positions

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