Scotch Game

also known as: Scotch Opening

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4

Named after

Named for Scotland — the Edinburgh Chess Club adopted 3.d4 in its 1824–28 correspondence match against London and won with it.

Origin

Known to Ercole del Rio in 1750; christened by the Edinburgh–London match; resurrected at the highest level by Kasparov in 1990.

The story

The Scotch settles the central question immediately — 3.d4, no waiting. The 19th century enjoyed it, then it spent a hundred years in the drawer marked "harmless: releases the tension too soon." Kasparov, hunting for ways to dodge Karpov's bottomless Ruy Lopez preparation in their 1990 World Championship match, pulled it out, won crucial games, and made the chess world relearn the opening overnight — the most famous opening resurrection of the modern era. It has stayed a respected elite weapon ever since.

Why it matters

Immediate central clarification into rich, slightly offbeat middlegames — the standing alternative for 1.e4 players who want open-game activity without Ruy Lopez theory. Proof that no sound opening ever really dies.

Notable games

• Edinburgh–London correspondence 1824–28
• Kasparov–Karpov, Lyon/New York WCh 1990 (games 14 and 16)