Scotch Game Classical Variation

The Classical Variation is one of the two most popular ways for black to defend against the Scotch.
For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: • Scotch Game | Ideas, P...
The Classical Scotch is one of those openings which can lead to several different types of positions, and with which black allows white to choose the nature of the position. With the aggressive Bc5, black puts pressure on the d4 knight and forces white to make a decision.
White now has to take the game in of the three possible directions by choosing how he is going to respond to black’s threat. The three options are defending the knight, retreating the knight, or exchanging it for the c6 knight.
The Potter Variation, in which white plays Nb3, and simply retreats, is, in my opinion, the least favorable for white. Black seems to be able to achieve aggressive setups and is the one who most often starts the attack first.
In the Nxc6 variation (sometimes called the Kasparov Variation), white trades off the knight and aims for a slightly better pawn structure. Black’s continuation Qf6, called the intermezzo variation, is what deters most Scotch players from choosing it. Black threatens mate and forces Qd2 or Qf3, and only then recaptured dxc, thus declining a queen trade.
The main line, and probably the most active and most aggressive move for white is Be3, simply defending the d4 knight and keeping the central tension.
As with every variation of any given opening, studying games should be the basis of your study. There have been almost 6000 strong games played with Bc5 against the Scotch. Analyze as many as you can. That will be the fastest way to improve your understanding of the intricacies of the variation.
If you would like to support the channel and my quest to chess improvement, you can donate here: www.paypal.me/HangingPawns
Any support is greatly appreciated! Thank you! The next tournament abroad I plan to play is at the start of July in Slovenia.
Thank you for the support so far!
Robert C., Richard S., Gregory Y., Jakub S., Francisco R., Simon F., Ken A., Debbie and Brian T., Philip D., Alexandre M., Pascal S., Daniel N.
#chess

[@stevehammel9288]

One of the best chess channels on the net. No childish humour or what not. Just down to earth, bottom line chess talk with some OUTSTANDING videos on openings and certain variations that might arise by playing them. Keep up the great work ! We need more of this quality type videos . An excellent resource for all levels of chess enthusiast.

[@josiahroyer1062]

Potter variation: 3:00 Intermezzo variation: 11:52 Be3: 16:26

[@TheOxknopf]

Hi Stjepan, at 17:46 you said "it's a completely identical position" but that is not realy true! ;) Because In the Malaniuk Variation it's whites turn, while in the classical Variation it's blacks turn.

[@user-nd7jc8mk5d]

mister Stephan ur explanation on the scotch it is just perfect would u allow me to make a study on lichess with ur explanations btw great fun love ur work

[@hazelelloyd]

Wow, that was a pretty good explanation. I stopped using the Scotch a long time ago, but it is a very interesting line that I see in blitz a lot. This was an excellent lecture on the variations, I think I have seen all of these in play.

[@jonathanelmore8524]

Another great video! I've been relying on your work more and more.

[@michaelvanzyl9418]

your channel is growing nicely! Keep it going

[@timpedro2606]

Loves these videos man!

[@gw5819]

As always a excellent video!

[@HangingPawns]

Thank you Gabriel!

[@NetzKaiser]

I play Scotch as White.

[@zieddams]

simply you're the best .... my question is .when you will start d4 openings ? and thank you

[@caiocesar4045]

Thanks for the video, as always :) i really liked the Bb4+ line, do you have any book recommendation that covers that line?

[@djokari23]

Thanks a lot for this video and the others ! Very useful but it seems to me that long castle is better for black than the short what do you think about it ?

[@davidyoung6219]

I dont understand why have the board upside down for this variation but none of the others in the series. Good content, but a little inconvenient.

[@joaopauloamorim6383]

On 14:03 if white plays 10. c3 black can play ...Bxf2+, then 11. Qxf2 Rxd3

[@camaradaarnaldo6796]

25:16 I think here Cxe4 is better since it avoids the isolated e pawn

[@angeloraffaeleciao8177]

Good video! I have a question : What job do you do? Job on internet? Sorry for this question. Is just curiosity

[@MrJorjantas]

What is the compensation for black pieces in the intermezzo variation? After 6. ...dxc6 both sides have the bishop pair but white pieces' pawn majority on kingside compared to clumsy pawn majority of black pieces on queen side give the white pieces a better position

[@thepsalms2806]

THANK YOU I plan to conquer the scotch like Garry kasparov

[@FleshGrob]

Glad to watch your new video as always I have already asked it but u didn’t reply Why don’t u review Vienna game and Center game ? I know everyone is waiting for d4 series, but don’t u want to make videos of these 2 openings may be in future?

[@HangingPawns]

Hmm. I think I will be covering them in the Rarely played openings playlist which I plan to start after I have finished d4, c4 and Nf3.

[@FleshGrob]

Hanging Pawns sounds cool

[@Sbigsla]

@@HangingPawns Sounds like a long journey, can't wait for all of this content to come out!

[@nate8106]

Certainly in no hurry for d4 openings lol other than semi slav of course. Reti is interesting and super GMs go to in must win situation. Great video btw, progressing very nicely

[@banglavai758]

hello brother i Like you from libya! Please make video how to participate a tournament for first time and how to calculated rate etc

[@PeterSodhi]

At 18:10 - after 5. Be3 sometimes Black players who know Ruy Lopez or Italian game play the normal looking 5. ...Nf6. Then you take the Knight and attack the Queen with 6. Nxc6 then Black plays 6. ...bxc6 - finally 7. Bxc5 wins the Bishop! Easy money :)

[@veldora_tempest0155]

🙏

[@HangingPawns]

:)

[@gabrieldefreitasteixeira2295]

Line 1 fianchetto: 19:34 Line 2: 20:41 Line 3: 22:43

[@Filemonefly9]

12:20 - Again, you go fast forward, neglecting to back up the move Bd3 with reason (because its obvious 4 you) as oppose to the alternative Bc4.

[@raghavsh8560]

First view squad!

[@HangingPawns]

:)

[@alphazero2756]

Do you have a job or do you earn your living only through chess?

[@HangingPawns]

I still have a job, but I am going to try to make a living of chess only in the future.

[@richardparker686]

This video is wrong he was showing opening for white but in this video its from Black's point of view 😂😂😂

[@twilight4048]

Nub __-__ "-" means finger

[@ArtificialIntelligence911]

U dumb bro