White's structure is obviously broken and c3 is weak etc. but that's not the main point of the position. From white's perspective the idea of this gambit is a quick attack on f7 with either checkmate or at least winning some material! If white doesn't play actively (something weak like 0-0) then what you say is true in that white is lost.
Scotch Opening with 4. Bc4
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The idea of a gambit is to sacrifice something to have a lead in development. That pawn structure is better for white than if the pawn was on b2 because he can develop the bishop to a3. And the c pawn is not an issue, remember, white is the one who is going to attack, you won't have to defend it. White has a comfortable development. Bb4+ is just a weak move, the two main moves are Nf6 and Bc5.
Yes, eventually Qd5 can be a threat as well. It just seems to me that the attack on f7 is never going to come off, so taking on all this positional baggage for what looks almost like a crude attempt at scholar's mate seems unwise.
But I do see your point and I thank you for your analysis.
monk64 írta:
Yes, eventually Qd5 can be a threat as well. It just seems to me that the attack on f7 is never going to come off, so taking on all this positional baggage for what looks almost like a crude attempt at scholar's mate seems unwise.
But I do see your point and I thank you for your analysis.
The main point is not exactly to target f7, of course black can defend against it. The point is to not allow black to castle and attack the king in the middle. Of course you need to play actively, but that shouldn't be a problem, if you play a gambit you want to be active. The theory of course doesn't stop at the move I gave, white has quite concrete tactical ways to continue his attack and not allow castling.
Both 6. 0-0 and dxc3 are main lines, choice between them is matter of taste really.
this opening is amazing (played it a lot before)
This is the Scotch gambit but can transpose to other openings such as the goring gambit or lines of the two knights defense . I have played this a lot online as white and had good results . If you dont like such gambit play just stick to the main line of the Scotch with 4 Nxd4 .
I'm not really a 1 e4 player, I usually open with something else, but have played the Scotch Gambit off and on and my results have been surprisingly good with it. Just so so results with the Scotch Game. I think it's been a case of club level (which I am also) opposition not dealing with the gambit pressure well. There may be something to be said for using a gambit repertoire on the club level, even if it's not the best way to play, since many players don't defend well.
I've been reading "Chess Openings for White, Explained" which I know is kind of a polarizing book - people either love it or hate it.
The main advice is to open with 1. e4 and start down a road to the Scotch game. I know the Scotch is well-regarded but instead of the usual 4. Nxd4, they recommend 4. Bc4.
The problem I see with it is Black's response 4. ...Bb4+. In response to 4. ...Bb4+ they recommend 5. c3 which I just don't understand.
After 5. ...dxc3 6. bxc3, the bishop would retreat to a5. This leaves white with
I find 5. Bd2 more intriguing, potentially linking the knights after 5. ...Bxd2+ 6. Nbxd2.
The resultant position seems better to me than the aftermath of 5. c3, though white is still down a pawn and i'm not sure how this opening line has really bought enough to justify that.
Thoughts?