Scotch Opening, and Gambit

Hey guys, I'm Anubis.

Im new to the whole 'Chess' thing, but so far I really am enjoying it. Anyway, recently I came across an opening that I really like, called the Scotch Opening. I want to collaborate on the Advantages and Disadvantges of this Opening, and if everyone seems interested enough, then I'd like to discuss the Scotch Gambit.

For those who aren't familiar with the opening:

I'm really looking forward to being able to talk with you guys, but please bear in mind that im new, so im really sorry for any mistakes I make :]

Not really familiar with it.

Aww Dx

The Scotch Game gives White easy development at the cost of some early simplification. After 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 (one of the popular lines, and something I play against frequently) 5.Be3 (threatening Nxc6, winning a piece due to the dual threat on Black's Queen and Bishop) Qf6 6.c3 Nge7, the game is fairly even. I would delve even deeper into theory, but I'm not confident my knowledge will be helpful, even less so the further we go in.

The possibility for early simplification can quickly lead to endgames, from experience, but most people tend to fight it out. With Black's Queen on f6, he/she might eye the Kingside, so things can often get double-edged. The Scotch Gambit proper is 4.Bc4 after 3...exd4, instead of recapturing with the Knight. I'm not too familiar with this one, but it seems White often sacrifices a pawn or two for a solid edge in development with c3.

Instead of either of those it's also possible to play the Goring Gambit with c3 right away instead of Bc4, another pawn sacrifice for quick development. Sorry I can't be more helpful - I generally don't play the gambit lines as I'm a materialist.

All (almost) of my openings as white have e4 followed by d4, but I normally do not play the Scotch.  I have played a few games using the Scotch, but I normally refrain from pushing d4 until after I'm further developed (unless I'm playing the Danish ).

I generally play the Italian Game hoping to transpose into my favorite and strongest opening, Evans Gambit.  If I do not get that, I push d4 (generally fourth move I believe).

Anyway, here is a game where I play the Goring Gambit variation of the Scotch (I have a 66.7% win with Scotch  -- not as good as my 100% Danish win, though ).  Enjoy!

Oh, and if you want, I can find my old analysis of the lines.  Of course, like many sharp tactical openings, there is not much material available, but I have a little .

You should look into the dubious Halloween Gambit just to improve your tactical play.  And possibly surprise a few amateurs with it !!

I love play'n Scotch Gambit.. Thanks!

i learnt the extension of the scoctch thank for this .....

what you've shown was a beautiful thing.

Wow, this was a really nice game, and was really what I needed. Thank you so much :]. I would also really apprecicate your old analysis, so I can see how this I should play this gambit. Btw, I love how fearless you were in sacrificing so much material, so you could get a checkmate at the end ;]

 Such enthusiasm, I played this as a Kid, unfortunately a nasty man named Mr Capablanca, spoiled all the fun.

After exd c3 he went and played d5.

The little story ended there, the game is dead equal and has since been analysed to death, shame.

I enjoy playing the Scotch game. I've played it for years - back in the days I went to OTB tournaments and online too. It's safe to say it's the opening I know the best. Although theoretically it gives Black easy chances to equalize, it can lead to very sharp games where your central advantage can turn into a staging center for attack.

As for the threat of d7-d5, you can (and should play Bc5). The Scotch game is far from refuted even if your opponent always know and chose the best variations.

Here you can see some of my games with the Scotch. They're far from perfect but they illustrate the ideas. The first one is with the rare g6 variation and opposite castling - quite a sharp game:

The second game is with 4.... Nxd4 - a mistake I often encounter. The white queen occupies the center and is not easily dislodged from there.

The third game is the d6-line in my favorite variations. This line features maneuvering, gaining space in the center, activazing your units and gaining tempos by threatening to further weaken black's pawn structure. Note the maneuvers of the white's light-squared bishop and the queen.

The Scotch is a fine opening and a damn fine drinnk.

It has been played by Kasparov in a World Championship so how bad can it be?

I play the Scotch, it was the first opening I learned for white, and I've only strayed from it in a couple of fun games. I played the main line for a while, but recently I've been playing the Göring Gambit. I've never tried the Scotch Gambit, here's the Göring:

Thanks for posting this. good stuff!!! I have copied the different lines posted.

Wow, thank you soo much guys, I love the different things posted.

Im going to definetly try out the Goring gambit (my computer cant do the accent over the 'o' Dx)

This is really great stuff, keep it coming :]

--Anubis