Paulsen Attack

The Paulsen Attack is White's seventh-move alternative 7. Bb5 in the traditional Classical line of the Scotch, 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7, where 7. Bc4 is the main line. The bishop develops with pressure on the c6-knight, which bears on White's knight on d4. Castling, 7...O-O, is the most common reply; 7...a6 questions the bishop, 7...Nxd4 simplifies, and 7...Nd8 is the Gunsberg Defense. Practical results are nearly even, and the engine rates the position as roughly balanced.