Scotch Game, Dubois–Réti, Réti Opening & Lange Attack
Scotch Game
Definition
The Scotch Game is an Open Game that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4. White immediately challenges the e5-pawn, opening the centre and inviting rapid piece play. The ECO codes C44–C45 are devoted to this opening.
Typical Continuations
- 3…exd4 4. Nxd4 (Main Line) – leads to several well-known branches:
• 4…Nf6 (Schmidt Variation)
• 4…Bc5 (Classical/Dubois–Réti Defence – see next entry)
• 4…Qh4 (Steinitz Variation) - 3…Nxd4 4. Nxd4 (Scotch Göring Gambit ideas if White plays c3 later)
Strategic Themes
Because the centre opens so fast, both sides must calculate accurately from the very first moves. Typical Scotch positions feature:
- An early queen trade that can steer the game into an end-gameish middlegame in which the bishop pair and pawn structure matter more than piece activity.
- Attempts by Black to exploit an over-extended white centre; …Qh4 and …Bc5 place immediate pressure on f2 and c3.
- For White, rapid development and central space often compensate for a potential structural weakness (isolated or doubled d-pawns).
Historical Notes
The name honours a correspondence match between London and Edinburgh (Scotland) in 1824, where the move 3.d4 was repeatedly employed by the Scots. The opening then fell into relative obscurity until Garry Kasparov revitalised it in the 1990 World Championship match against Anatoly Karpov (games 5, 9, 13). Kasparov’s modern treatment, blending rapid development with powerful preparation, restored the Scotch to front-rank theoretical status.
Illustrative Mini-Game
This concise fragment shows many Scotch motifs: open centre, fast piece play, and an early queen skirmish.
Interesting Facts
- Karpov, normally a 1.e4 e5 expert, was forced to abandon 1…e5 for the Petroff after Kasparov’s successful Scotch preparation.
- The first World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz, disliked the Scotch, claiming it released central tension too early—modern engines disagree.
- Magnus Carlsen has used the Scotch as a surprise weapon in rapid & blitz, notably defeating Levon Aronian (Tata Steel 2012).
Dubois–Réti Defense (Classical Variation of the Scotch)
Definition
The Dubois–Réti Defense arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5. Named for the 19-century Italian master Serafino Dubois and the Czech hyper-modern pioneer Richard Réti, the line is also called the “Classical Variation” because Black completes kingside development in traditional style.
Key Ideas for Black
- Immediate pressure on f2 and along the a7-g1 diagonal.
- After 5.Nxc6 (the most common reply) 5…Qf6! hits f2 again and recovers the c6-knight with a flexible game.
- The bishop on c5 often retreats to b6 or e7 to sidestep tempi from c2-c3/d2-d4.
Plans for White
- Win the bishop pair and spoil Black’s queenside structure with Nxc6.
- Push c2-c3 and d4-d5 to seize space and cramp the c5-bishop.
- Castle quickly and use the open d-file to exert central pressure.
Model Game
Réti–Tartakower, Vienna 1922, followed 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qd2 dxc6 7.Nc3 Be6 8.f4 Rd8 9.Bd3—White obtained a slight pull but Tartakower neutralised it and drew.
Why It Matters
The variation offers Black a practical, straightforward path to activity without memorising dozens of computer lines—ideal for players who want dynamic equality rather than defensive suffering.
Trivia
- Some databases still list 4…Bc5 under multiple names (Classical, Dubois, Réti), reflecting its rich and overlapping history.
- Serafino Dubois analysed the move in the 1850s, long before Réti employed it in top-level tournaments.
Réti Opening
Definition
The Réti Opening begins with 1. Nf3 and usually continues 1…d5 2. c4 or 2. g3. It is a cornerstone of hypermodern strategy: instead of occupying the centre with pawns, White exerts pressure from the flanks and invites Black to commit a central pawn mass that can later become a target.
Main Set-ups
- Réti vs …d5 – 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 (classical) or 2.g3 (King’s Fianchetto).
- Réti vs …Nf6 – 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 (can transpose to the King’s Indian Attack).
- Réti/English Hybrid – 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 (English, symmetrical).
Strategical Hallmarks
- Control of the e- and d-files through piece activity rather than pawn occupation.
- Frequent transpositions to the Catalan, English, or Queen’s Gambit Declined—making it a flexible weapon in any repertoire.
- Typical pawn structure: White often fianchettos the kingside bishop, plays d2-d4 under favourable circumstances, or keeps the centre fluid with e2-e3.
Historical Significance
Richard Réti introduced his system at the 1923 & 1924 New York tournaments, scoring a celebrated victory over the reigning World Champion José Raúl Capablanca (who had previously gone eight years without a loss). Réti’s success helped usher in the hypermodern era, challenging classical dogma about occupying the centre at all costs.
Classic Example
The diagram (derive from PGN) shows White’s flexible pawn centres and fianchetto pressure.
Fun Facts
- Because 1.Nf3 is theoretically sound against almost any Black first move, some players use it to keep opponents guessing—Magnus Carlsen employed it in every game of the 2014 World Championship match before transposing elsewhere.
- The move 1.Nf3 is sometimes called the “Zukertort Opening” in older books; Réti’s contributions refined and popularised its strategic foundations, so today his name dominates.
Max Lange Attack
Definition
The Max Lange Attack is a razor-sharp gambit line that usually arises from the Two Knights Defense or the Italian Game. A common move-order is:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4
White sacrifices material (often a pawn and sometimes the exchange) to open lines against the black king and create tactical mayhem.
Main Variations
- Lange Main Line 8.Re1+ Be6 9.Ng5 Qd5 10.Nc3 (or 10.Rxe6+) – explosions on f7 and e6 are common.
- Rubinstein Variation – Black declines the gambit ideas with 5…d6 instead of 5…Bc5, steering the game into quieter channels.
Strategic & Tactical Features
- Open e- and f-files give White’s rooks immediate scope.
- Piece activity outweighs material; coordinated threats on f7, e6, and the diagonals a2–g8/c4–f7 decide the game early if Black is careless.
- Accurate knowledge of forcing sequences is mandatory for both sides—one slip can lead to a mating attack or a lost endgame.
Historic Roots
The attack is named after German master Max Lange (1832-1899), who analysed it extensively in the 1850s. Adolf Anderssen, Emanuel Lasker, and José Raúl Capablanca all tested the line, but modern grandmasters employ it more as a surprise weapon in rapid or blitz.
Illustrative Game
Marshall – Burn, Monte Carlo 1902: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O Bc5 6.e5 d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.Re1+ Be6 9.Ng5 Qd5 10.Nc3 Qf5 11.Nce4 Bf8 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.g4 Qd5 14.Ng5! and Burn’s position collapsed under the combined threats.
Curiosities
- Because many branches lead to forced draws with perfect play, the Max Lange has largely vanished from elite classical chess—but it thrives in faster time controls where precise defence is harder.
- The attack inspired one of the earliest published opening monographs; Lange’s 1855 booklet devoted 40 pages to its labyrinthine tactics—a sizable work for the era.
- Engines rate some Max Lange positions as “objectively equal” yet with a swing of ±5 pawns in practical play, underscoring its perilous double-edged nature.