Scotch Gambit, Janowski Defense

The Janowski Defense is the calmer of Black's options against the Scotch Gambit. Black does not grab the e4-pawn with 5...Nxe4 or develop the bishop to c5. Instead, 5...d6 controls e5, which takes the sting out of an e4-e5 advance against the f6-knight, and opens the c8-bishop. The d4-pawn stays on the board for the moment, so Black remains a pawn up, at the cost of a doubled d-pawn structure and a cramped, defensive posture. The engine gives White a slight edge, and practical results are close to even.

White's usual reply is 6. Nxd4, which recovers the pawn and leads to a quieter game. White keeps a spatial plus with the e4-pawn against Black's pawn on d6, and Black aims to complete development with ...Be7 and ...O-O. The sharper 6. c3 offers more material in the hope of opening lines, while 6. Re1 is less successful in practice, with Black scoring well in that line. The variation is a moderately common sideline rather than a main battleground of the Scotch Gambit.