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Theory in the Scotch Gambit

Theory in the Scotch Gambit

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After some standard theory,


this position arises, with white to move. How does white gain the advantage? Obviously if the the bishop takes the knight instead of the black queen move on the prior move, white gains a decent advantage with Bxf7, but how does white refute 8...Qf6?

The moves until now are:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Bg4 7. b4? Bb6 8. Qb3 Qf6

b4 may not be an improvement over 7.Qb3, but Qb3 leads to equality. How is white to generate winning chances?

I don't think delaying castling leads to anything better.

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Originally posted by pwnguin
After some standard theory,
[fen]r3k1nr/ppp2ppp/1bnp1q2/8/1PBpP1b1/1QP2N2/P4PPP/RNB2RK1 w kq - 0 9[/fen]
this position arises, with white to move. How does white gain the advantage? Obviously if the the bishop takes the knight instead of the black queen move on the prior move, white gains a decent advantage with Bxf7, but how does white refute 8...Qf6?

...[text shortened]... white to generate winning chances?

I don't think delaying castling leads to anything better.
Black's position looks good, not a good order for white's moves.

Try aggression..., say Bg5+QNd2+Bd5
Then perhaps BxN and attempt to control the centre.

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Yeah instead of white playing castle, why not attack instantly with c3. (Lev Alburt- Chess openings for white explained) You might look into it if you want to play scotch gambit. 🙂

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Originally posted by RabbitCold
Yeah instead of white playing castle, why not attack instantly with c3. (Lev Alburt- Chess openings for white explained) You might look into it if you want to play scotch gambit. 🙂
Nice! But Ban Me!!! 😉😀😀😛

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Originally posted by RabbitCold
Yeah instead of white playing castle, why not attack instantly with c3. (Lev Alburt- Chess openings for white explained) You might look into it if you want to play scotch gambit. 🙂
Yes, but what to do after the pawn is declined? Perhaps you could post some sample lines? White gets nothing better than equality from what I see.

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Rabbit is correct!
You castle too early in this line.

1. e4 e5 2. nf3 nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. c3 d6(exchange declined!) 6. cxd4! and the center is yours, retreat follows ...Bb6 and you gain initiative.

or...

5... Nf6 6. cxd4 or 6. e5 are both acceptable.

After that white has advantage.

Reminds me of the Evan's gambit without the gambit.

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Originally posted by LordofADown
Rabbit is correct!
You castle too early in this line.

1. e4 e5 2. nf3 nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. c3 d6(exchange declined!) 6. cxd4! and the center is yours, retreat follows ...Bb6 and you gain initiative.

or...

5... Nf6 6. cxd4 or 6. e5 are both acceptable.

After that white has advantage.

Reminds me of the Evan's gambit without the gambit.
I agree.