Scotch Game, Classical Variation


The Classical Variation of the Scotch Game is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
White has several fifth move options, including 5.Be3, 5.Nxc6, 5.Nb3 and 5.Nf5.

5.Be3

Most common is 5. Be3. Black then typically replies with 5... Qf6, although 5...Bb6 and, less frequently, 5...Nxd4 or 5...Bxd4 are also played. After 5... Qf6, play typically continues with 6. c3 Nge7. Here White again has options, the most popular being 7.Bc4 and 7.g3. Black may reply to 7.Bc4 with 7...Ne5, 7...0-0, or 7...b6. It was claimed in an analysis by Alexey Sokolsky in the 1940s that 7...Ne5 followed by 8...Qg6 led to equality, and for this reason 7.Bc4 fell out of popularity until it was revived in the 1990s by Garry Kasparov, among others. Black usually replies to 7.g3 with 7...d5, followed by 8.Bg2 dxe4 9.Nd2 Bxd4 10.cxd4 0-0 11.Nxe4 Qg6 12.0-0.

5.Nxc6

Also popular is 5. Nxc6. After 5... Qf6, White may play 6.Qd2 or offer a queen exchange with 6.Qf3. This move is less common at the top level, as it is unclear that White has any advantage after 5... Qf6.

5.Nb3 and 5.Nf5

Also seen are the knight moves 5. Nb3 and 5. Nf5. After 5. Nb3 Bb6, White can choose 6.Nc3 or 6.a4.