Schmidt Variation: Mieses 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 is variation 3 of 5 in the Scotch Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C45). It runs 25 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. White trades on c6 and pushes e5, driving the f6 knight away. Black's queen pins the e5 pawn from e7, so White plays Qe2, c4 and b3 to keep the knight out of d5 and support e5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – Takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – Develops and attacks e5.
2... Nc6 – Defends e5.
3. d4 – Opens the centre.
3... exd4 – Black takes.
4. Nxd4 – Recaptures with the knight.
4... Nf6 – The Schmidt: Black counter-attacks e4.
5. Nxc6 – Trades knights so that e5 comes with tempo.
5... bxc6 – Recaptures toward the centre.
6. e5 – Gains space and kicks the f6 knight.
6... Qe7 – Pins the e5 pawn to White's king, so it cannot be defended by f4 easily.
7. Qe2 – Unpins the pawn and defends it.
7... Nd5 – The knight goes to a central square.
8. c4 – Kicks the knight from d5 at once.
8... Ba6 – Black pins the c4 pawn to White's queen, so the knight is not lost.
The lesson goes on for 9 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM