Scotch Game - 4...Nxd4 - The I Don't Know Theory
Let's learn the Scotch Game! We blast open the center with d4 on move three, seizing the initiative in every single game. We begin with pawn to e4.
Learn this chapter freeMain line
The chapter's main line, with the comments from the course.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4
We recapture with the queen, planting it right in the center while Black falls behind in development.
5. Qxd4
Our queen takes control of the center while Black's forces remain trapped on their starting positions.
5... Nf6
Black develops but steps right into our trap.
6. e5 Qe7 7. Be3
The knight can't move anywhere without losing material. We develop to e3 instead of e2, preparing to castle queenside and crank up the heat.
7... Ng8 8. Nc3
We bring the knight into the attack while Black's pieces keep bumping into each other.
8... d6 9. Nd5
Now we're attacking c7, and Black's position is falling apart.
Key lines
The free lines of this chapter, each one trainable move by move.
- Main Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 Nf6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Be3 Ng8 8. Nc3 d6 9. Nd5
- 5...d6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 d6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. O-O-O
- 5...Qf6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 Qf6 6. e5 Qb6 7. Qxb6 axb6 8. Nc3 Bb4 9. Bd2 Ne7 10. a3 O-O 11. O-O-O
- 5...c5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 c5 6. Qd3 d6 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. Bf4
- 6...Nh5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 Nf6 6. e5 Nh5 7. g4
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