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

Scotch game C44 Scotch game 3...exd4 Black takes the pawn in the centre. 4. Nxd4, recapturing the pawn, is the main line. White centralises their knight, supported by their queen. Black has a chance to take the initiative and develop with tempo, attacking White's centre with 4...Bc5 or 4...Nf6. Alternatively, White can gambit the pawn and not recapture it: 4. Bc4 is the Scotch Gambit. White leaves the pawn in peace and tries to establish attacking pressure with a lead in development. 4. c3 is the Göring Gambit. Similar to the Danish gambit, White offers one or two further pawns to get a lead in development. 4. Ng5? is a trap line, the idea being to sacrifice the knight on f7 to lure out Black's king. It is dubious and can be disarmed by best play, but scores well in amateur databases. 4...h6 5. Nxf7 Kxf7 6. Bc4+ and Black must avoid 6...Ke8??, else 7. Qh5+ leads to forced mate. Theory table 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4 Main line Nxd4- = Scotch Gambit Bc4- = Göring Gambit c3d5 = References