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

Scotch game C44 3...exd4 3. d4 · Scotch game With this aggressive pawn advance, White looks to open up the centre. 3...exd4 is played almost every time. It releases the central tension and leads to a very open game, with a lot of space for both players. 3...Nxd4, the Lolli variation, is playable. White can trade on d4, 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. Qxd4, taking advantage of the fact Black has traded their knight to centralise their queen, or play 4. Nxe5, threatening Qxd4. A few tries have been made with 3...d6, transposing into a Philidor defence, but this affords White a range of good options: 4. d5, kicking the knight and expanding in the centre is the most straight-forward, or 4. Bb5 transposing into an Old Steinitz Spanish. Theory table 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 3 Scotch Game ...exd4 = ...d6 +/- ...Nxd4 +/= References See also Scotch Game