The Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) is a lively alternative to the Ruy Lopez which has found favour amongst many leading Grandmasters. The top experts in the Scotch include former World Champion Garry Kasparov as well as Alexander Morozevich, Sergei Rublevsky and others.

The space White takes early in the game can easily translate into a powerful attack against Black’s king. In addition to this White can often usually some damage on Black’s pawn structure by capturing Black’s knight on c6. These dual aims have certainly been giving Black plenty to think about.