4...Nf6 is absolutely fine. 5.Ng5 d5 6.ed5 Qe7+! is a (very small) Black advantage, while on 5.e5 all three possible moves (5...Ne4, 5...Ng4 and 5...d5) are perfectly OK.
The only reason to stay away from 4...Nf6 is avoiding the drawish 5.0-0 Nxe5 6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 variation, although even here Black can play for a win if he is willing to take a mild risk.
If you feel Black is OK after something like 4...g6 5.Nxd4 Bg7 6.Nxc6 bc6 7.0-0, the go on. I think I will give it a miss.
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THANKS IM PFREN, your advise is helpful. 5.... d5 i dont like due to white's e and f pawn makes trouble for black, 5....Ng4 and 5....Ne4 both are good, i just seen it. thanks so muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ! my problem is over now. :)would like to add u as friend
IM pfren, I disagree that 5...Ng4 is perfectly ok, because of 6.Bxf7+ Kxf7 7.Ng5+ Ke8 8.Qxg5. Maybe for a higher rated player this is fine as black? But it is enough of a danger for me to avoid the move.
4...d6 is possible if you're ok with a Philidor.
5.c3 Ne5 6.Nxe5 de 7.Qb3 Qe7 8.O-O c6! 9.f4 b5 10.Bd3 Qc5 is the only dangerous thing you need to know about. Be careful not to get stuck in this position a tempo down.
In 2010, Christopher Gu played the Scotch Gambit against me at the Hartford Open (he was rated about 2000 then, he is around 2400 now). I was not really prepared for it and thought upwards of 10 minutes what I would do (it was a 40/2 game).
I think I made the right choice: 4...d6. I developed modestly as in an Antoshin Philidor, but slightly outplayed him, eventually earning a small edge but only enough to draw. Gu proved to be a relatively balanced player, but I feel confident I would have beaten other similarly-rated players who were hardened "gambiteers."
Without prep, go for a position-type they are likely to be uncomfortable with and outplay them (someone offering a pawn early is probably looking for a wide-open battle rather than a maneuvering game).
If you ARE prepared, just punish them!
Pfren´s probably going to punish me, but I like 4...Bb4+. 5.c3 is the only good answer (5.Bd2 or Nd2 are met by Qe7), then 5... Bc5. The point is that White´s c-pawn blocks c3 for the normal development of his knight. 6.Nf6 would be met by ... d5 then 7.... Na5.
After 6.cxd4, Black has again Bb4+ followed by 7... Qe7, winning a centre P
6...Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Qe7 8. O-O. Can't win the pawn on e4 because of a possible Re1.
IM pfren, I disagree that 5...Ng4 is perfectly ok, because of 6.Bxf7+ Kxf7 7.Ng5+ Ke8 8.Qxg5. Maybe for a higher rated player this is fine as black? But it is enough of a danger for me to avoid the move.
If Black is not gentle enough, he will cheer with joy after 6.Bxf7+?
Sample game:
9.Nf3 is probably a better choice, although white is still stuggling after 9...d6.
Pfren´s probably going to punish me, but I like 4...Bb4+. 5.c3 is the only good answer (5.Bd2 or Nd2 are met by Qe7), then 5... Bc5. The point is that White´s c-pawn blocks c3 for the normal development of his knight. 6.Nf6 would be met by ... d5 then 7.... Na5.
I do not think playing the Italian a whole critical tempo down (the knight is on g8 instead of f6) constitutes an idea worth talking about.
This sort-of line is very playable with a "slightly" different setup: 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4 ed4 4.Nf3 Bb4+ (now this is good) 5.c3 dc3 6.bc3 d5! (this is the big difference) and Black may even be slightly better.
@Rohan_G: That position is not good for white. After 8. Qxg4 h6 9. Nf3 d6 10. Qe4 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Qf6 black is threatening Bf5 which will allow Kh7. Black has the bishop pair in an open position, is ahead in development, has more space, and has a safe king.
@Mcheath: Black is basically lost after 7... Qe7 since after 8. O-O You can't take the e pawn due to Re1.
Edit: Darn it! Ninja'd by Pfren.
Yes I agree with you. 9.Nf3 d6 10.Qe4 dxe5 and White is in trouble. Thank you for your prompt response to my questioning comment, IM pfren.
Yes I agree with you. 9.Nf3 d6 10.Qe4 dxe5 and White is in trouble. Thank you for your prompt response to my questioning comment, IM pfren.
di..did IM Pfren just get the credit for my analysis!? =(
1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4. Now i have tried all options as 4th move as black like Bb4, Bc5, d6, Nf6 (dont like when Ng5 and even its main line after e5 push, white's e and f pawn makes trouble for black). so now i m going to try surprise move 4....g6 ! That was played by some GMs including 2720 rated Mamedyarov. whats your opinion friends???