The main line of the Classical Variation. White develops solidly with Be3 and c3.
1.e4 - Controls the center and opens lines for the bishop and queen.
1...e5 - Classical response, fighting for central control symmetrically.
2.Nf3 - Develops a knight to its best square, attacking e5 and preparing kingside castling.
2...Nc6 - Defends e5 and develops a piece. The knight controls d4 and e5.
3.d4 - The Scotch Game! White immediately challenges the center, opening the position for piece play.
3...exd4 - Black accepts the challenge. Taking is the most common response.
4.Nxd4 - White recaptures, centralizing the knight. It now controls key squares.
4...Bc5 - Classical Variation. Black develops the bishop to an active diagonal, targeting f2 and controlling d4.
5.Be3 - White develops and challenges the bishop. Forces Black to make a decision about the bishop.
5...Qf6 - Black defends the bishop and creates a tricky setup. The queen eyes d4 and h4.
6.c3 - Solid move. Prepares d4 support and restricts Black's bishop.
6...Nge7 - Develops the knight to a flexible square. Prepares ...d6 and castling.
7.Bc4 - White completes development with a strong bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal.
White's plan: Castle kingside, build a strong pawn center, use the bishop pair.
Black's plan: Complete development with ...d6 and ...Be6 or ...Bg4, consider ...Ne5 to exchange Bc4.
Watch the moves to understand the opening sequence. Use the controls to replay or auto-play the variation.