Scotch Game - 4...Bb4+ - Malaniuk Variation

Main line

The chapter's main line, with the comments from the course.

1. 1. e4

   We begin with pawn to e4.

2. 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+

   Black tries to transpose into classical lines, but we've got a sharp plan ready.

3. 5. c3

   We kick the bishop and grab some space.

4. 5... Bc5

   Black retreats but stays on the long diagonal.

5. 6. Be3

   Time to trade off that annoying dark-squared bishop.

6. 6... Bb6

   Smart retreat, keeps the bishop active and safe.

7. 7. Nf5

   Excellent! Our knight attacks the bishop and g7, forcing the trade.

8. 7... g6

   Black kicks our knight but at least we get the bishop trade.

9. 8. Bxb6

   Perfect, we eliminated Black's best piece.

10. 8... axb6

    Forced, since cxb6 would leave the dark squares in ruins.

11. 9. Ne3

    Our knight lands perfectly, controlling key central squares.

12. 9... Nf6 10. f3

    Simple defense of e4, keeping everything solid.

13. 10... Qe7 11. c4 Qb4+ 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 d6 14. Nc3 Kd8 15. Be2

    We've got all the winning chances here: better pawn structure, the superior bishop, and our king is more active.

Other chapters

• 4...Nxd4 - The I Don't Know Theory
• 4...Bc5 - Classical Variation
• 4...Nf6 - The Four Knights Variation
• 4...Qh4 - Steinitz Variation
• 3...d6 or f6 - Alternative Moves