King Pawn Openings: The Scotch Game

The Scotch Game is an interesting subject when looking for a logical example for the counter attack versus the strong point method. The Scotch Game is one of the many chess openings that give a fascinating illustration and case study. We'll see how the counter attack method (the favorable approach) or the strong point method (unfavorable approach) parries in the discussion below.

We'll have to define the difference between the two options open to Black before using the Scotch Game to illustrate how these two principles affect a game of chess. The strong point method basically means retaining that Black is to retain the position on K4 for his Pawn. The counter attack method gives up that Pawn on the K4 but takes away White's positional advantage, which may include taking White's Pawn on his K4 position.

Given the situation in the Scotch Game, the opening starts as 1 P - K4, P - K4; 2 Kt - KB3, Kt- QB3, 3 P - Q4. If Black goes for the strong point method the viable option would have to be 3 ... P - Q3. The situation in the Scotch Game pretty much runs in the same vein as the one for the Center Game, which means that the strong point method is inapplicable. Therefore, the more promising alternative for Black is to go for a counter attack, which actually proves itself quite effectively.

An obvious counter attack given White's challenge in the opening is 3 ... P x P. That would then be followed by White's response of 4 Kt x P and Black's counter 4 ... Kt - KB3. The rest of the standard normal moves will go on as: 5 Kt - QB3, B - Kt5 6 Kt x Kt, KtP x Kt 7 B - Q3, P - Q4 8 P x P, P x P 9 O - O, O - O, and others If we continue with that line of standard normal moves for the Scotch Game we will inevitably end up in a situation where both sides arrive evenly matched. If both players are able to play the rest of the game normally within the bounds of correct principles then neither side actually gets the upper hand.

White will eventually end up with more freedom and flexibility for his chess pieces. Black on the other hand will have gained the stronger center. Black can then proceed to take advantage of such a center and White can exploit the opportunity to mobilize pieces effectively.

Among other chess openings, the Scotch Game is a good illustration of balance where a counter attack is a better option than a strong point.