by Vladimir Barsky, 196pp. (Chess Stars, 2009)

The Scotch Game is a solid positional opening which has been studied and tested in practice by the strongest chess players in the world in a period of more than two centuries.

The idea behind the Scotch Game is simple and easily understandable. White eliminates in a purely mechanical fashion Black’s e5-pawn which impedes his ambition to dominate in the centre.

The Scotch Game is very attractive for the White players mostly because he chooses the direction of the development of the fight, while the Black player much only follow suit.

This book consists of seven chapters dealing with different move-orders. Every chapter comprises of Quick Repertoire, a thorough analytical material in the part Step by Step and Complete Games.

In order to include a certain opening system in your opening repertoire it would be sufficient for you to read the part Quick Repertoire and play through the games and that would not take too much of your free time.

After this you can boldly start playing this opening in some friendly games in your club or in the Internet.

You will amass in that fashion a certain degree of experience in the Scotch Game and then you should better have a look in the part Step by Step comparing your play with the recommendations of author of this book.

Vladimir Barsky is an International chess master, journalist and coaching second of A.Morozevich in numerous international competitions, including two World championships. He is the author of a variety of books about chess and chess players.

Contents

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4

1 4...Nxd4; 4...Nge7; 4...d5
Quick Repertoire  10
Step by Step        14
Complete Games  29

2 4...g6; 4...d6
Quick Repertoire  33
Step by Step        39
Complete Games  51

3 4...Qh4 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Be2
Quick Repertoire   55
Step by Step         58
Complete Games   71

4 4...Bc5 5.Nxc6
Quick Repertoire   74
Step by Step         79
Complete Games 104
 
5 4...Bb4+ 5.c3
Quick Repertoire 116
Step by Step       118
Complete Games 126

6 4...Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Bd3
Quick Repertoire  129
Step by Step        133
Complete Games  146

7 4...Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5
Quick Repertoire  152
Step by Step        157
Complete Games  182