Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit

About this variation

White plays Bc4 instead of retaking on d4, offering a pawn for quick development.

The Scotch Gambit is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4. White does not recapture on d4 at once, instead developing the bishop and offering a pawn for quick development and an attack against f7. The game often transposes to the Two Knights Defense or Italian Game lines.

Black's main replies include 4...Nf6, transposing to Two Knights positions, and 4...Bc5, leading to Italian Game structures. 4...Bb4+ is also played, aiming to disrupt White's development. Each leads to different types of games.

White's typical plans include O-O and e5 to drive away the knight on f6, c3 to regain the pawn and open lines, and a quick attack on the kingside. White often gets fast development and attacking chances for the pawn.

Black's typical ideas include ...d5 to open the center, ...Bc5 to develop quickly, and ...O-O to castle. Black must be careful about the f7 square and the open lines around the king.

The Scotch Gambit suits White players who like open, attacking positions and want to avoid the quieter lines of the Scotch Game. Black players should know the main transpositions, since the gambit can lead to many different positions.

A common mistake for Black is to hold on to the extra pawn too long and fall behind in development. A common mistake for White is to attack too early before completing development. Both sides do best by focusing on piece activity and king safety.

After 4...Nf6 5. e5, the game reaches a sharp line where Black usually plays 5...d5, and White replies 6. Bb5 to pin the knight. After 4...Bc5 5. c3, White offers another pawn to open lines quickly. Knowing these move orders helps Black avoid traps and helps White steer the game towards familiar ground.

It is one of the main lines of the Scotch Game.