Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Sarratt Variation
Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Sarratt Variation
Definition
The Sarratt Variation of the Scotch Gambit arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O. It is a branch of the Scotch Game in which White sacrifices the d-pawn for rapid development and attacking chances against Black’s king. The line is named after Jacob Henry Sarratt (1772-1819), the first professional chess teacher in England and an early champion of open, tactical play.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 (declining the main pawn hold with …Nf6) 5. O-O
At this point Black has several reasonable replies:
- 5…Nf6 — the most common; often transposes into a Two Knights Defence–style battle.
- 5…d6 — reinforcing e5 but conceding time.
- 5…Nge7 or 5…h6 — more restrained ways to prepare kingside safety.
Strategic Themes
- Initiative vs. Material: White is still a pawn down but leads in development, already castled while Black’s king remains in the centre.
- Pressure on f7: The bishop on c4, rook on f1, and often a knight jumping to g5 all eye the tender f7–square.
- Open e- and d-files: After eventual exchanges on e5 or d4, rooks and queens can flood the centre, so tempo counts dearly.
- Black’s Coordination: Black must juggle completing development (…Nf6, …Nf6, …d6) while parrying potential sacrifices on f7 or in the centre.
Historical Significance
Jacob Henry Sarratt was one of the first British players to write systematic treatises on openings, including what he called the “Scotch Gambit.” His advocacy of rapid development and bold sacrifice heavily influenced the romantic school of the 19th century, inspiring the likes of McDonnell, Staunton, and Anderssen.
Illustrative Miniature
The following short game demonstrates how quickly things can go wrong for Black:
[[Pgn| e4|e5|Nf3|Nc6|d4|exd4|Bc4|Bc5|O-O|Nf6|e5|d5|exf6|dxc4|Re1+|Be6|Ng5| Qxf6|Nxe6|fxe6|Qh5+|g6|Qxc5|O-O-O|Bg5| ]]After only 20 moves, White’s piece activity and open lines around Black’s king proved decisive despite the initial pawn deficit.
Model Game to Study
A more classical, high-level illustration is:
J. Henry Blackburne – Joseph Henry Sarratt Jr., London Simul 1885 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.O-O Nf6 6.e5 d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.Re1+ Be6 9.Ng5 Qd5 10.Nc3!! Sarratt Jr. succumbed to a furious assault; Blackburne’s play perfectly showcases White’s compensating activity.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because 5.O-O was considered shockingly “premature” in Sarratt’s day, some contemporaries dubbed the line “The Rash Castling.”
- In several 19th-century odds games, masters even gave pawn and move yet still opted for the Sarratt Variation because of its attacking flair.
- The variation often transposes into familiar Two Knights Defence positions, allowing Scotch-Game aficionados to exploit opponents who avoid sharp main lines “by move order.”
Practical Tips
- For White: Keep pieces active—if Black manages …d6 and …Be6 comfortably, your compensation dwindles. Knight leaps to g5, bishop sacs on f7, and rook lifts via e1-e3-g3 are common motifs.
- For Black: Don’t cling to the extra pawn at all costs. Rapid development (…Nf6, …d6, short castle) matters more than material. Consider returning the pawn with …d5 or …d3 if it eases defense.
Further Study
Explore related systems: Scotch Game, Two Knights Defense, and the sharper Max Lange Attack, which can arise from similar move orders. Modern databases show the Sarratt Variation scoring well in rapid and blitz play, where the initiative weighs heavier than precise endgame prospects.