Scotch Game Schmidt Variation

The Schmidt Variation is what Karpov chose when Kasparov used the Scotch Game as a surprise weapon in 1990.

It is very rare that the most popular variation among grandmasters is a very fund and complex attacking one. That exactly is the case with the Scotch game! On the highest levels, the Schmidt variation (also known as the Mieses Variation) is the most popular way for black to face the opening.

As opposed to the classical variation (Bc5), the Schmidt (Nf6), leads to an imbalanced pawn structure, with black accepting weaknesses on the queenside, and white accepting a Alekhine-like over extended e5 pawn which can often become a liability.

Most often, the pawn is even going to be sacrificed for an initiative, and white is seldom going to achieve a safe position with the pawn traded off or defended. These factors, along with the most common positioning of the bishops for both sides (which and up on the long diagonals) mean that most games in the Schmidt Scotch end in a decisive result!

The resulting middlegame positions are complex, volatile and double edged. Most strong players have to improvise very early on due to the vast number of options and piece tension.

White is the one who chooses what the game will be like. Early on, as soon as black plays Nf6, the Schmidt, white can go for two different moves. Nc3 is safer and I would say easier to play. After that move, black is not going to want an endgame because his structure is worse and any endgame should be better for white.

If white goes for the main move, Nxc6, then white is saying that he is going for the win! Accepting risks and weaknesses of his own and attacking at all costs!

To study the variation, look at Garry Kasparov’s games. He was the one who revived the Scotch in the 90s, and his contribution is vast. After his match against Karpov in Lyon, it soon gained popularity and you can find numerous grandmasters who now use it as one of their main weapons!

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

[Spectatorica]

you, my son, look very tired :( Hugs from worried Proud Mama

[gw]

a little break in my day for some coffee and watch your video. As always excellent!

[josephcharlesd]

Very interesting line

Beautifully explained

Thanks a ton

[dimifisher]

I will see those scotch variation videos a millions times 🤣

[alexandereastwood]

Just want to mention that Nc3 move is a transposition into the 4 knights scotch accepted lines, which is the main line of that variation. Knight takes e4 was a line never saw before and will check out, as I have played the 4 knights scotch a fair amount. I also still think at first glance I like Bb4 much better, and even taking the double pawns witch does not seem to matter and the open G file to the king is interesting. Overall I know the line is very drawish.

[bryanurizar]

New to your channel and the analysis is probably the best I've seen on YouTube. Thanks!

[leonardoremmereit]

Now I can finally play it. Thank you very much!

[shawnp]

You said hanging pawns in the video lol

[lautaroce]

in 17:39 after Bg2 the analysis shows it's a blunder, because after Qxe5 Qxe5+ Bxe5 the white is going to loose material, the rook in a1

[wisepilgrim]

great video as always! what opening are you going to cover next? may i suggest the kings indian defence?

[niecierpliwy]

Cool video, can you show more games with this variation?

[rtlandry]

29:18 if a4, what if white plays c5? d5 is the only square for black’s knight. And then Bc4 (pinning the knight to black’s queen) or b4 connecting the pawns. Maybe this is actually good for black because it helps reroute the knight over the the kingside to e7, where it can better support a possible d5 or d6 push.

[banglavai]

Hello bro give a video about how to become a rated player and how to calculated rated

[siraf]

What about e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 exd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nxc6 and then dxc6 going for a berlin type endgame after a queen trade?

[paulcantalupo-nv]

Here is the link to the Kasparov vs Karpov game from round 16 of the 1990 World Championship Match