Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. d4/3...exd4/4. Nxd4

Scotch Game, main line
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation(FEN) r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/8/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R

Scotch Game, main line

Black has now an opportunity to take the initiative that should not be wasted.

Three main weapons are available.

With 4...Bc5, Black attacks the central knight and force White to move it or protect it. Black should expect answers like Be3, Nb3 or Nxc6.

4...Nf6. In this line, White is supposed to play 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5

4...Qh4 (Steinitz variation) is more aggressive. White will have a hard time to keep his pawn, but this will allow him to get a lead in development.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4

	4
	... Bc5	=
	... Nf6	=
Steinitz Variation	... Qh4	=

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References

• Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.