C45 · Scotch Game

Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5
♜♝♚♝♞♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♞♟♛♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♞♝♛♚♝♜
The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5, Black to move.

In the Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

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The Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack is a chess opening classified under ECO code C45. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nb5: 9 moves in, with Black to play.

It belongs to the Scotch Game family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.

Club players rarely lose the Scotch Game: Horwitz Attack in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

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Related openings

Scotch GameScotch Game: Benima DefenseScotch Game: Cochrane VariationScotch Game: Cochrane-Shumov DefenseScotch Game: Goring GambitScotch Game: Goring Gambit, Bardeleben VariationScotch Game: Goring Gambit, Double Pawn SacrificeScotch Game: Goring Gambit, Main LineScotch Game: Hanneken VariationScotch Game: Haxo Gambit

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