Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. d4/3...exd4/4. Bc4/4...Bc5

Scotch Gambit, Haxo Gambit rd bd qd kd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd nd bd bl pd pl nl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl rl Scotch Gambit, Haxo Gambit With 4...Bc5 Black develops the dark squared bishop to a good square where it defends the pawn on d4. From here White has 3 main responses: 5. c3 This continues in the spirit of the Scotch Gambit, offering Black another pawn, and threatening to take back on d4 with a broad two-pawn centre. However, Black should not continue with 5...dxc3? because of 6. Bxf7+! in which White makes use of the powerful bishop on c4, and the vulnerability of black's bishop on c5, and will regain both of the pawns sacrificed with a crushing position. Instead, Black should continue with 5...Nf6, which transposes to the Giuoco Piano. 5. O-O White focuses on rapid development instead of taking the pawn back immediately, aiming to play c3 later on, when the usual Bb4+ isn't possible in this case. If Black continues with 5...Nf6 then the game transposes into the Max Lange Attack which is considered good for white, therefore Black usually continues with 5...d6, resulting in some crazy positions in which both kings can become exposed. 5. Ng5 This is the Sarratt Variation, in which White attacks the f7 pawn for the second time, taking advantage of the fact that black's knight is still on g8, and they cannot deal with the threat by castling. Black almost always defends the pawn with 5...Nh6, in which usually a trade of minor pieces occurs, in which white also takes advantage of the vulnerable position of the bishop on c5. Theory table . 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5 6789 Scotch Gambit c3Nf6 cxd4 Bb4+Bd2 Bxd2+Nbxd2 d5exd5 Nxd5=Haxo GambitO-O d6c3 Bg4Qb3 Bxf3Bxf7+ Kf8gxf3 Ne5∞Sarratt VariationNg5 Nh6Nxf7 Nxf7Bxf7+ Kxf7Qh5+ g6Qxc5 d5∞ References