Scotch Game
Play as WhiteClassical
Open the center immediately for quick piece activity and a sharp fight.
The main line, move by move
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Bc4 Ne5 8. Be2 Qg6 9. O-O d6
- 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
- 1... e5 — Black claims the center too.
- 2. Nf3 — Develop a knight and attack the e5 pawn.
- 2... Nc6 — Black defends the e5 pawn while developing a knight.
- 3. d4 — Strike at the center right away to open the game for your pieces.
- 3... exd4 — Take the pawn and open the center.
- 4. Nxd4 — Recapture with the knight in the center.
- 4... Bc5 — Develop with an attack on the d4 knight.
- 5. Be3 — Defend the d4 knight and develop.
- 5... Qf6 — Add pressure on the d4 knight.
- 6. c3 — Support the d4 knight and prepare a big center.
- 6... Nge7 — Develop without blocking the queen.
- 7. Bc4 — Aim the bishop at f7 again.
- 7... Ne5 — The knight lands on a strong central square.
- 8. Be2
- 8... Qg6
- 9. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
- 9... d6
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Other sound lines
- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3