What Scotch Game puts on the board
Material is level, with black to move.
White has central pawns on d4 and e4; Black has central pawns on e5.
White can still castle either side; Black can still castle either side.
What White is trying to build
Use the open centre and lead in development for active piece play.
Avoid spending extra tempi merely to hold an advanced central pawn.
How Black challenges it
Attack the central pieces and equalise development.
Use open files and diagonals rather than rebuilding a closed centre.
The tactical pattern to recognise
Pins and discoveries appear quickly on the open e-file.
A central knight can be attacked by c-pawns and minor pieces with tempo.
What to check before committing
Grabbing a pawn while pieces are exposed in the open centre.
Retreating repeatedly and surrendering the development race.
Choose the next book move
Preview a move to see the resulting position and the idea behind it. Select it to continue on the same board.
Reference links and alternate move orders
Move orders
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d41.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd41.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd41.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 5.Nb5 Bb4+ 6.Bd2
