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I recently demonstrated on my video on OpeningTree.com that I have literally never lost a game of the Scotch Game where I used the Steinitz Variation – out of 19 games so far, 18 wins, 1 draw! This is the most recent game in a Team Australia tournament!

We enter the Modern Defense line of the Steinitz Variation (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qh4 5. Nc3 Bb4). In this position, White has only a single good move that maintains their advantage, the somewhat obscure Be2. White doesn’t find this move and plays the second-best move (6. Qd3), which brings the game back to equality [0.00]. The tension here is on the e4 square, so I play the logical move (6… Nf6), developing my knight and adding another attacker.

In this position, White’s best approach is to relieve the tension by trading, with perhaps the goal being they get to develop with the last capture. Black has a few more tricks, but I opted to “cash out” as well, when I thought that I had a potential advantage. We have a series of trades and on move 11 we have material equality, but I’ve castled, the bishop pair, and have forced White to move their king which is exposed. White does have some compensation – they have an advanced e-pawn, and my c-pawns are doubled. Stockfish evaluates the position as [0.00] as we enter the middlegame. I would argue that I might have the slightly easier to play position.

My opponent plays the middlegame well. One of my troubles with the daily game format is that I’m often out and about when I receive a move notification. I know that I sometimes make poorly thought out moves on my mobile phone, but I do it anyway! White advances with their pawns and cramps the mobility of my bishops. On move 18, I play c5, and blunder my b-pawn which was now undefended. White gains a healthy evaluation advantage of around [+3].

White captures a couple of my pawns, but now, my bishop pair start to exert their influence with lines opening. White’s developed king in the centre of the board becomes a target with White’s pieces getting pinned. On move 27, White makes their first serious mistake trying to defend their knight on e4 that was pinned to their king. Their aversion to material loss led them to play (27. Bd3) rather than challenge my light square bishop with (27. Bd5), but in doing so, hung their pawn on f6, and allowed me forward mobility for my dark square bishop. The second serious mistake occurred with what seemed like an innocent move (34. Bd5). This move ceded the e-file to my rook, potentially trapping their king on the kingside of the board, where all their pieces were on the queenside. This resulted in a catastrophic weakening in the defence of their king, which I managed to exploit. Only four moves later, the impending checkmate became obvious and White resigned. GG!

The big takeaway from this game is to consider the Steinitz Variation as a way of responding to the Scotch Game. It is very winning at the beginner-intermediate level.

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/daily/545032607

[Event "TA 2023 Easter Bilbies tournament - Round 2"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.29"]
[Round "-"]
[White "NotFrankTurner49"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Tournament "https://www.chess.com/tournament/ta-2023-easter-bilbies-tournament"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C45"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Scotch-Game-Steinitz-Modern-Defense"]
[UTCDate "2023.07.29"]
[UTCTime "00:37:20"]
[WhiteElo "1111"]
[BlackElo "1158"]
[TimeControl "1/172800"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "00:37:20"]
[EndDate "2023.08.02"]
[EndTime "18:27:00"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/daily/545032607"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/132545072.fde46f83.50x50o.2e1cc055db01.jpeg"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 46:58:07]} 1... e5 {[%clk 46:43:55]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 45:16:26]} 2...
Nc6 {[%clk 47:16:06]} 3. d4 {[%clk 45:26:26]} 3... exd4 {[%clk 47:56:35]} 4.
Nxd4 {[%clk 47:59:42]} 4... Qh4 {[%clk 47:59:46] Scotch Game: Steinitz
Variation} 5. Nc3 {[%clk 46:36:34]} 5... Bb4 {[%clk 47:59:34] Modern Defense} 6.
Qd3 $6 {[%clk 47:58:43][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false][%c_arrow
f1e2;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is the second best move, but
I've already regained the advantage [0.00]} 6... Nf6 {[%clk 47:58:30]} 7. Nxc6
{[%clk 47:56:55][%c_arrow
d4f5;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false] Not the most accurate
[-0.3]} 7... dxc6 {[%clk 47:59:17]} 8. e5 $6 {[%clk 47:59:24][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c1d2;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [-0.6]}
8... Qe4+ $6 {[%clk 47:58:50][%c_arrow
f6g4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy [-0.3], but I
decided to break the opening tension and \"cash out\" when I thought I still had
an advantage} 9. Qxe4 {[%clk 47:34:16]} 9... Nxe4 {[%clk 47:59:33]} 10. Bd2
{[%clk 47:59:45]} 10... Nxd2 {[%clk 47:52:12]} 11. Kxd2 {[%clk 47:53:10]} 11...
O-O {[%clk 47:58:03] Out of the opening, we're equal [0.00], but White's king is
exposed in the centre} 12. f4 {[%clk 42:37:41]} 12... Be6 {[%clk 42:10:34]} 13.
Bd3 {[%clk 45:24:39]} 13... Rad8 {[%clk 47:58:00]} 14. Ke2 {[%clk 47:59:40]}
14... b5 {[%clk 47:55:33]} 15. Ne4 {[%clk 46:58:57]} 15... Bc4 $2 {[%clk
47:28:00][%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake [+2.1]
as this was an intemperate move where I might end up with tripled pawns $1} 16.
Rhd1 $2 {[%clk 47:59:18][%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
White should have traded bishops [+0.3]} 16... Be6 {[%clk 47:57:42]} 17. h3
{[%clk 47:42:09]} 17... Be7 {[%clk 47:58:05]} 18. g4 {[%clk 47:48:58] White is
making good use of their pawns and advancing. My position is cramped.} 18...
c5 $4 {[%clk 47:58:30][%c_arrow
a7a5;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false][%c_effect
c5;square;c5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] I blundered by b-pawn $1 [+2.2]} 19.
Bxb5 {[%clk 47:59:13]} 19... Rb8 {[%clk 47:58:38]} 20. a4 {[%clk 44:14:11]}
20... c4 $2 {[%clk 47:56:49][%c_arrow
a7a6;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false][%c_effect
c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Another mistake [+3.4]} 21. f5 {[%clk
47:08:19]} 21... Bc8 {[%clk 47:59:19]} 22. f6 $6 {[%clk 47:57:06][%c_arrow
e2e3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e3;persistent;false][%c_effect
f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Probably premature [+2.6]} 22...
gxf6 {[%clk 47:58:12]} 23. exf6 {[%clk 47:43:19]} 23... Bd8 {[%clk 47:58:11]}
24. Rab1 $6 {[%clk 29:17:23][%c_effect
b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b5c4;keyPressed;none;from;b5;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [+2].
Forward progress isn't so simple...} 24... a6 $2 {[%clk 47:58:35][%c_arrow
b8b6;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;b6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b6;persistent;false][%c_effect
a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An aggressive approach [+3.5] that
Stockfish disapproves of} 25. Bxc4 {[%clk 43:19:21]} 25... Re8 {[%clk 47:27:24]}
26. Kf3 {[%clk 44:04:08]} 26... Bb7 {[%clk 47:41:37]} 27. Bd3 $4 {[%clk
47:12:27][%c_arrow
c4d5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] White's aversion to material loss
results in a mistake $1 [0.00]} 27... Bxf6 {[%clk 47:35:35]} 28. b3 $2 {[%clk
46:00:27][%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1e1;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false] The pins now bind up
White and it's difficult to play. This was a mistake [-0.9].} 28... Re7 $6 {[%clk
42:19:56][%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
b8d8;keyPressed;none;from;b8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false] I'm threatening to
make a battery, but this wasn't the most accurate move [-0.2]} 29. Kf4 $6 {[%clk
43:31:16][%c_arrow
d1e1;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false][%c_effect
f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Sensible looking move to remove
the pin, but an inaccuracy [-1.5]} 29... Bxe4 $2 {[%clk 47:58:27][%c_arrow
f6e5;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish says this is a mistake
[+1]} 30. Bxe4 {[%clk 40:17:15]} 30... Rb4 {[%clk 47:59:18]} 31. c4 $6 {[%clk
47:43:28][%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d1e1;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false] A natural looking
move, but inaccurate [+0.3]} 31... h6 {[%clk 47:55:23]} 32. Rd8+ {[%clk
47:34:22]} 32... Kg7 {[%clk 47:59:38]} 33. Ra8 $6 {[%clk 38:19:26][%c_effect
a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d8d3;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false] Logical, but
intemperate [-0.6]} 33... Rb6 {[%clk 47:07:13]} 34. Bd5 $2 {[%clk
47:57:10][%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Although it isn't
immediate obvious, this is a pretty bad mistake [-4.7]. Effectively, White has
allowed their king to be trapped on the kingside of the board with my rook
controlling the e-file, while all their pieces are on the queenside. This
results in a catastrophic weakening in king defence which I manage to exploit.}
34... Bg5+ $2 {[%clk 47:53:24][%c_arrow
f6h4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false][%c_effect
g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Bh4 would have been much stronger,
but this is still okay [-1]} 35. Kg3 $1 {[%clk 47:23:25][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false][%c_effect
g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35... Re3+ {[%clk 47:30:27]} 36.
Kg2 $2 {[%clk 39:45:17][%c_arrow
d5f3;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_effect
g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake [-3.1]} 36... Rf6 $1 {[%clk
47:35:57][%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37. b4 $6
{[%clk 41:40:16][%c_arrow
g2g1;keyPressed;none;from;g2;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White might not have recognised
the danger... [-4.6]} 37... Re2+ {[%clk 47:57:29]} 38. Kg1 $4 {[%clk
47:52:53][%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g2g3;keyPressed;none;from;g2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false] I think that White
had assumed that I had no credible attack as their king could go onto the back
rank defended by their rook. However, they missed the mating net [-M6] with the
rooks on the second rank $1} 38... Be3+ {[%clk 47:59:16]} 39. Kh1 {[%clk
44:25:34]} 39... Rff2 $1 {[%clk 48:00:00][%c_effect
g7;square;g7;type;Winner,h1;square;h1;type;ResignWhite,f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
The impending mate is now obvious and White resigns $1} 0-1