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Scotch Game

Cochrane-Shumov Defense

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.d4exd4
  4. 4.Bc4Bc5
  5. 5.Ng5Nh6
  6. 6.Nxf7Nxf7
  7. 7.Bxf7+Kxf7
  8. 8.Qh5+g6
  9. 9.Qxc5d5
109 games46%42%

A forcing Scotch Gambit line in which White trades knight and bishop on f7 and recovers material, leaving Black's king exposed but a strong pawn center.

Train it in Theoria

About the Cochrane-Shumov Defense

The Cochrane-Shumov Defense comes from the Scotch Gambit after 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. Ng5 Nh6, the Sarratt Variation. In the line 6. Nxf7 Nxf7 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qxc5, White uses the queen check to pick up the loose bishop on c5. Black then answers with 9...d5, a central counterstrike. Material is level and the engine rates the position as balanced. Black's king stays on f7, while the d5 and d4 pawns hold the center. The usual reply is 10. O-O.

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