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

Scotch game C45 Scotch game → 3...exd4 4. Nxd4 Black has now an opportunity to take the initiative that should not be wasted. 4...Bc5, the classical variation, attacks White's central knight on d4 and forces White to either move it or protect it. Black should expect replies like 5. Be3, 5. Nxc6, or 5. Nb3. 4...Nf6, the Schmidt variation, is most common. Black puts immediate attacking pressure on White's pawn on e4. Rather than defend it with 5. Nc3 Bb4 (pinning the knight) 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3, the main continuation is to trade off the knights and push it instead 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5. 4...Qh4, the Steinitz variation, is more aggressive. Black threatens White's e-pawn and wins it outright after 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Be2 (6. Bd2?? to unpin the knight drops the knight on d4) Qxe4. However, doing so costs time and White is thought to get more than enough compensation. The line continues 7. Nb5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O. 4...Qf6 is a line where the Queen is developed to attack the knight. White can tranpose this to a classical Scotch with 5. c3; however it is more sharp to play 5. Nb5, threatening the now unprotected c7 fork. Black usually responds with 5... Bc5, threatening checkmate. After White defends, Black can play Bb6 protecting c7. White will then attempt to remove this bishop with their other knight. 4...Nxd4? is a line more common at lower levels. This allows White to centralise their Queen early without potential tempo gains and is a mistake by Black. White usually wants to quickly castle queenside and counter a potential Nf6 with e5, similar to the Schmidt variation. Theory table 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 4 Classical Variation ...Bc5 = Schmidt Variation ...Nf6 = Steinitz Variation ...Qh4 = References