for White · beginner
Scotch Game
5/5
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.d4
White strikes immediately at the centre with d4, opening lines and simplifying the opening phase. This move sidesteps heavy Ruy Lopez theory while providing active piece play. It suits players who prefer direct plans.
Key ideas
- Trade in the centre to liberate your pieces and gain development tempo
- Position the knight actively and support it with c3 or c4
- Aim for the bishop pair and create open lines toward Black's king
- Keep play concrete and tactical through the opening
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Scotch Game41.2M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
5.3%2.2M43%
2.3%956k44%
1%403k43%
1%394k44%
0.7%292k34%
0.5%202k47%
0.4%185k46%
0.4%166k20%
Famous games in this line22k master games
Carlsen, M. (2881) – Nakamura, Hi (2775)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2768) – Carlsen, M. (2877)So, W. (2810) – Carlsen, M. (2822)Carlsen, Magnus (2814) – Aronian, Levon (2805)Radjabov, Teimour (2784) – Carlsen, Magnus (2835)Nakamura, Hi (2781) – Carlsen, M. (2837)Nakamura, Hi (2786) – Carlsen, M. (2832)Nepomniachtchi, I. (2730) – Carlsen, M. (2881)Heroes of this opening Carlsen, Magnus
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Scotch Game: Lolli Variation3…Nxd4 · 1 deeper lineScotch Game: Göring Gambit3…exd4 4.c3 · 5 deeper linesScotch Game: Scotch Gambit3…exd4 4.Bc4 · 18 deeper linesScotch Game: Relfsson Gambit3…exd4 4.Bb5
Nearby lines in the family
Study this opening