Scotch Game, Mieses Variation

The Mieses Variation arises when Black moves the g8-knight to f6, written 4...Nf6, and attacks White's e4-pawn. White's knight on d4 then captures the knight on c6, Black usually recaptures with the b7-pawn, and White advances the e4-pawn to e5 to attack the f6-knight. The sequence forces both sides to make concrete decisions very early.

What each side gains

Scotch Game, Mieses Variation: canonical line

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

a1

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

Start

e4

e5

Nf3

Nc6

d4

exd4

Nxd4

Nf6

Nxc6

bxc6

e5

The line begins from the starting position

The board replays every move in the notation maintained by the article, without adding continuations.

• White gains space with the e5-pawn and makes Black's knight find another square. The pawn can also restrict Black's pieces for a time.
• Black is left with two pawns on the c-file, called doubled pawns because they share the same file. Black also gains a half-open b-file: no black pawn remains there, so a rook can pressure b2. In return, Black gains targets in White's center, and the advanced e5-pawn may need protection.

Gaining space does not mean winning the game. White has moved several pawns and the same knight before completing development, meaning before bringing the remaining pieces out from their starting squares. The king also needs protection. The Classical Variation uses 4...Bc5 against the d4-knight, while the Göring Gambit seeks activity by offering a pawn.