Scotch Game

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, White strikes at the centre at once with 3.d4, and Black normally answers 3...exd4. White usually recaptures with the knight on d4, trading the e5-pawn for an open centre and quick development. Unlike the Ruy Lopez, there is no slow build-up: the pieces come out fast and the play turns on piece activity and the pressure each side can put on the other's centre pawn.

The Classical Variation, 4.Nxd4 Bc5, aims the bishop at the knight on d4. White can exchange with 5.Nxc6, after which Black usually plays 5...Qf6, threatening mate on f2 and recapturing on c6 later. White can also retreat with 5.Nb3, gaining time against the bishop, or defend with 5.Be3, when 5...Qf6 6.c3 Nge7 adds pressure to the knight on d4. The Mieses Variation, 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4, drives the knight from d5 and leaves Black with doubled c-pawns. Black answers 8...Ba6, pinning the c4-pawn against the queen on e2. The Scotch Gambit, 4.Bc4, delays recapturing on d4 to develop quickly and aim at f7.

In the Mieses Variation, Black's pawns on c6 and c7 sit against White's spearhead on e5. White tries to hold that pawn and restrain the c-pawns, while Black aims for ...d6 or ...c5 to free the position. In the Classical lines the play is more open, centred on the bishop on c5 and the f2-square. Start with the Classical Variation, the first video, before moving on to the 5th-move branches.