Scotch Game, Scotch Gambit

PAUL MORPHY vs. HART
Unknown Location, 1854

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, exd4
4. Bc4 ....

The Scotch Gambit is an aggressive line in the Scotch Game that gives up an early pawn for a strong early attack against the black King.

4. .... d6
5. c3, dxc3
6. Qb3, Qe7

If 6....Na5, then 7. Bxf7 Ke7, 8. Qxc3 ....

7. 0-0, b6
8. Nxc3, Na5
9. Qb4, Nxc4

If 9....c5, then 10. Bb5+ Bd7, 11. Qa4 ....

10. Qxc4, Bb7
11. Re1, 0-0-0
12. Bf4, f6
13. Rac1, Kb8
14. Nd5, Bxd5
15. exd5, Qd7
16. Nd4, Ne7
17. Rxe7!! ....

Eliminating a major defensive piece....

17. .... Bxe7
18. Qa6, c5

Black's Queen cannot go to c8 because of the threat 19. Nc6+ and mate afterwards.

19. dxc6, Qc8

Of course not 19....Qc7, because White threatens 20. Nb5....

20. c7+!!, Ka8
21. cxd8=Q, Qxd8
22. Nb5, Qb8
23. Rc7, Resigns

Fantastic attack! 

Scotch Game, Lolli Variation

PAUL MORPHY vs. NN
1850

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, Nxd4

The Lolli Variation of the Scoth Game.

4. Nxe5, Ne6
5. Bc4, Nf6
6. Nxf7, Kxf7
7. Bxe6!? ....

Trying to get Black's King into the open, where it will be vulnerable to attack.

7. .... Ke8
8. Bc3, Bc5
9. e5, Qe7
10. 0-0, Ng8

The e5 pawn is untouchable because of the threat 11. Re1.

11. Nc3, c6
12. Ne4, b5
13. Nd6+!!, Kd8

The only escape square for Black's King.  If 13....Kf8, then 14. Qf3 and White wins.

Capturing the Knight will not do any good: 13....Bxd6, 14. exd6 Qf8, 15. Re1+ and the game favors White.

14. Bg5+, Resigns

The game leaves Black without a Queen.  If 14....Qxg5, then 15. Nf7 double check.

Scotch Game: Modern Defense

SERGEY KARJAKIN vs. VASILY BORISOVICH MALININ
Sudak UKR 2002

Scotch Game: Modern Defense

1. e4, Nc6
2. d4, e5
3. Nf3, exd4
4. Nxd4, Qh4
5. Nc3, Bb4
6. Be2, Nf6

Black puts additional pressure on the e4 pawn.  White offers the e-pawn in exchange for an open file.  If Black plays 6.... Bxc3, 7. bxc3 Qxe4, 8. 0-0 N8e7, 9. Bf3 Qg6, 10. Nxc6 bxc6, 11. Re1!  followed by 12. Ba3 and Black's Knight will be hopelessly pinned.

7. 0-0, Bxc3
8. Nf5, Qxe4
9. Bd3, Qg4
10. f3, Qa4
11.bxc3, 0-0
12. Nxg7!! ....

An unexpected move.  White creates havoc along the kingside.

12. .... Kxg7
13. Bh6+!! ....

It seems that White does not run out of resources.

13. .... Kxh6

If 13....Kg8, then 14. Qd2 Qa5, 15. Bxf8 Kxf8, 16. Qh6+ Kg8, 17. Qxf6 ...

14. Qd2+!!, Kh5

It is bad for Black's King to retreat, e.g. 14.....Kg7, 15. Qg5+ Kh8, 16. Qxf6+ Kg8, 17. Qg5+ Kh8, 18. Qh6 and Black cannot parry the simultaneous threat of Qxf8 mate and Qxh7 mate.

15. g4+, Nxg4
16. fxg4+, Qxg4+
17. Kh1, d6

Hoping to bring the Bishop into play. 

18. Rf6 ....

Threatening 19. Rh6+ mate.

18. .... Qg5
19. Be2+ Bg4
20. Bxg4+, Resigns

Black realized it is futile to fight.  White is assured of victory after 20....Kh4, 21. Rh6+.  If 20....Kxg4 then 21. Rg1+.   If 20....Qxg4, then 21. Rh6+ mate.

A gem of a game.

Scotch Game

DELMAR vs. LIPSCHUETZ
Match, 1888
Scotch Game

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, exd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nxc6, bxc6
6. Bd3, d5

Afterwards, the usual move is 7. exd5, cxd5; but White tries something different, hoping to drive the Black's Knight to the back rank.

7. e5, Ng4
8. 0-0, Bc5!

An attacking move, one crucial to center play. If 8....Nxe5, then 9. Re1 f6 (or Bd6), 10. f4 and White wins.

9. h3, Nxe5
10. Re1, Qf6!!

Hmmm...White senses a trap. The f2 pawn is very vulnerable.

11. Qe2, 0-0

If Black tries 11....Bd6, then White replies with 12. f4 winning the Knight. Since the Knight is lost anyway, Black decides to wait for the right time to attack.

12. Qxe5, Qxf2+
13. Kh1 ....

Of course not 13. Kh2 since White would lose the Queen after 13....Bd6.

13.....Bxh3!
14. gxh3, Qf3+
15. Kh2, Bd6
16. Qxd6, Qf2+

White resigns, since Black takes the Rook before confiscating White's Queen.