The Scotch Game: Essentials (Black Repertoire)

By Theo van Stratum

The Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) meets 1...e5 with an immediate central challenge rather than the quieter build-up of the Italian Game or Ruy Lopez. Covers Black's main replies to 4.Nxd4 -- the Classical Defence with 4...Bc5 and the Modern Defence with 4...Nf6 -- as well as how to meet the sharp Scotch Gambit (4.Bc4) and the Goring Gambit (4.c3), two of White's most popular tries to sidestep the main theoretical battle.