Scotch: 4...Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 is variation 4 of 6 in the 1.e4 e5 for Black course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO C45). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 …. Against the Scotch, Black hits the d4 knight with ...Bc5. After 5.Nxc6 the queen jumps to f6, threatening mate on f2, and Black gets easy development. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims the centre.
2. Nf3 – White attacks e5.
2... Nc6 – Defends e5.
3. d4 – The Scotch: White opens the centre at once.
3... exd4 – Black takes; holding e5 with ...d6 would be passive.
4. Nxd4 – White recaptures with the knight.
4... Bc5 – Develops with an attack on the d4 knight.
5. Nxc6 – White trades knights.
5... Qf6 – Threatens Qxf2 mate and keeps the c6 knight's recapture for later.
6. Qd2 – White guards f2 and keeps queens on.
6... dxc6 – Black recaptures toward the centre, opening the d-file and the c8 bishop.
7. Nc3 – White develops.
7... Be6 – Black develops and prepares long castling or ...Rd8.
8. Na4 – White hits the c5 bishop to win the bishop pair.
8... Rd8 – Black develops the rook with tempo on the d2 queen.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM