Italian game or scotch?
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Dec 14, 2016
0
#3
Mn79 you're over 2000 in every category. I just started here and I'd like to aim for the same.
If the Center Game is good enough for Morozevich it's good enough for us. Why should we feel obligated to struggle with Kasparov's intricate Scotch theory and worry about things like the Petroff Defense on the way? For equality?? I'm not a big proponent of the opening but I'm a pragmatist.
The King's Gambit is fine and forcing too.
And btw everybody sneered at the Scotch too, until Kasparov started playing it.
Looks like you've answered your own question!
I played the Scotch gambit many years ago but you really need to be an attacking player and know the two knights opening as well but it is lots of fun. It may not be theoretically the best if playing a grandmaster but can be good against anyone else.
I believe the bishops opening was popular for a while and that can often end up as a Scotch so you can mix and match so your opponents aren't sure what you would go for.
(Now I open d4 as black has too much choice after 1e4 so how many times would you get into your favourite lines any way?)
Try the Tayler... 1e4,e5 2Be2... At first glance, it looks kind of passive but it gets aggressive and complex in a hurry. If you want an open game, I have found that this opening offers one big advantage. Black can't kick the bishop with pawns and bung up the center easily. This opening was fairly common back in the olden days (Philidor's time to Anderssen's) and fell out of use not because it was bad but because other openings became slightly better.
Dec 14, 2016
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#6
Ok mn79, I disagree with you that White's piece placement is particularly strange compared with hundreds of lines of accepted theory.
For instance, Magnus Carlsen just played Re1 then Re5 then Re2 then Re1 in the opening. And for what? For EQUALITY in the GM-approved Ruy Lopez which I never trusted.
There is no way to avoid weird lines in the Scotch, the Center Game, or any other main line opening, nor is it really desirable.
Too tired to say more.
Good night.
For instance, Magnus Carlsen just played Re1 then Re5 then Re2 then Re1 in the opening. And for what? For EQUALITY in the GM-approved Ruy Lopez which I never trusted.
There is no way to avoid weird lines in the Scotch, the Center Game, or any other main line opening, nor is it really desirable.
Too tired to say more.
Good night.
Dec 14, 2016
0
#7
Depends on the variation. Both have some crazy lines. It's up to you, neither is clearly more tactical.
Scotch. ......... with soda.
Dec 14, 2016
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#9
I've played both. I finally settled on Italian. Too many freaky long forced lines in the Scotch (Mieses var. in particular) that just don't look like where I like to go.
Italian can go to Evans, Giuoco, Hungarian, Two Knights...
Italian....with spaghetti bolognese.
Dec 14, 2016
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#12
I love the scotch gambit and it is my main opening, but you have to know the max Lange attack, Morphy attack, haxo gambit, Italian kotlavansky (forgot the spelling) and a few other tricks. I don't play the main line because it is boring imo, but I know the sidelines very well by experience. If you are definitely going for a sharp game then the scotch gambit may do the trick.
Looking to learn a new e4 combative tactical opening for white. Which one is more tactical and combative, italian game or scotch? or maybe you can recommend another e4 opening?