Classical: 4...Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qd2 is variation 1 of 5 in the Scotch Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C45). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 …. White trades on c6 at once and defends f2 with Qd2, intending Nc3-a4 to hunt the c5 bishop. Kasparov's favourite way to play against 4...Bc5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – Takes the centre and opens lines for the queen and bishop.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. Nf3 – Develops with an attack on e5.
2... Nc6 – Defends e5.
3. d4 – The Scotch: White challenges e5 at once and opens the centre.
3... exd4 – Black has to take, since ...d6 lets White win space with d5 or dxe5.
4. Nxd4 – Recaptures with the knight, centralising it.
4... Bc5 – The Classical: the bishop attacks the d4 knight and eyes f2.
5. Nxc6 – White trades the attacked knight so that Black must recapture, gaining time for Qd2 and Nc3.
5... Qf6 – Black threatens Qxf2 mate and recaptures on c6 with the queen or a pawn later.
6. Qd2 – Defends f2 against the mate threat and keeps an eye on d4 and the dark squares.
6... dxc6 – Recaptures toward the centre and opens lines for the c8 bishop and the rook on d8.
7. Nc3 – Develops and prepares Na4 to chase the c5 bishop.
7... Be6 – Develops and controls c4 and d5.
8. Na4 – Attacks the c5 bishop; White wants to win the bishop pair.
8... Rd8 – Black develops the rook with tempo against White's queen on the d-file.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM