The Scotch endgame

Does this position look familiar?

White to move

If not, it’s the Scotch endgame! An interesting position that arises after these moves:  1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 9.b3 g6 10.g3 Bg7 11.Bb2 0-0 12.Bg2 Rae8 13.0-0 Bxe5 14.Qxe5 Qxe5 15.Bxe5 Rxe5 16.cxd Bxf1 17.Kxf1 cxd 18.Nc3 c6 and voila, here we are!

The position is quite complex with many possibilities for both sides so let’s try to assess. White has two minor pieces for a rook + 2 pawns which may favor black somewhat but often it’s said that white has the better chances here because it’s easier for him to find a plan and also because white has three pieces vs black’s two. Okay then, what should white do?

Well, there are some different ways to play this position. One of the most dangerous plans for black is if white plays Rd1-d4-a4 followed by b4, Ra6, b5. Advancing the queenside pawns while exerting pressure on a7. We might end up in a position like this if white plays his cards right (see diagram below).

Black to move

White plan has succeeded! There’s a lot of pressure on black’s queenside and an maneuver like Nd4-b3-a5 might not be too pleasant for black! Neither is it possible to take on b5 because after cxb axb the d5 pawn is to weak and will fall! Actually, this position is from a game between Robert Zelcic and Ivica Bozanic. White went on to win quite easily!

Black has to do something to counter this plan and a grandmaster (which I don’t remember the name of) came up with the following plan for black (see diagram below).

White to move

1.Rd1 Of course! Trying to activate the rook through d4
1…Rfe8! Important move! Dosen’t allow Rd4 quite yet as Re1# is bad for white!
2.Bf3 White’s plan is simple. Play Ne2 next move, not allowing black to activate his rook through e1 and then Rd4!
2…a5! Black’s trying to counter white’s Rd4-a4 idea
3.Ne2 Rb8 4.Rd4 Rb4! The point! White can't get to a4 (see diagram below).

White to move

Being denied access white has to think out a new plan. Moving back the rook with maybe 5.Rd2 is not to be recommended because of 5…a4! Black gets rid of the bad a- pawn and at the same time exerting pressure on white's queenside. After 6.bxa Rxa4 black might follow up with Re8-a8 and a better position because of the weak a- pawn.

Instead I would recommend to play
5.Rxb4 although this breaks a guideline in this kind of position. White would prefer to keep the rook because of the possibilities to exert pressure on weak pawns and also black’s king might get into trouble if it gets to active. But without the rook it’s very unlikely that white can spine a matting net with just the knight and bishop.
5…axb If black is allowed he would now like to play Re8- a8.
6.Nf4 Not allowing 6…Re8 because of 7.Nd3 Ra8 8.Nxb4! protecting a2!
6…d4! Necessary in order to keep the b- pawn.
7.Nd3 Rb5 (see diagram below)

Black to move

Black’s idea is to play c5 and d6. Keep all pawns proctected on black squares and harass the a- pawn with Ra5. White has to try to active his king and generate play with his minor pieces but I would prefer black here.

If we move back to the starting position there is one more plan for white that I would like to discuss with you (see diagram below).

White to move

Here instead of Rd1 white has another move which I know one of the International Masters (IM) in my club play in this position.
1.Na4 Interesting move! White's idea is first of all to play Nc5-d3 reaching the best square for the knight. Then white may consider Rc1-c5-a5.
1…Rfe8 With the idea to play Re2.
2.Bf3 Protecting e2. Also possible was 2.Nc5 when after 2…R5e7 (Not 2…d6? because of the weakness on c6 3.Nd3 Re7 4.Rc1 Rc7 5.Bxd5! wining a pawn) 3.Rc1 later white want to play Rc5-a5 3…f5 Taking some space and allowing the king to advance. 4.Nd3 The golden square! The knight protects e1 (allowing Rc5) and exercising control over b4, c5, e5 and f4. 4…a5! In time! 5.Rc5 Ra8 (see position below)

White to move

The position is about level although black’s a- pawn needs protection.

3…f5 Gaining space

4.Rc1 Kf7 5.Nd3 a5! 6.Rc5 Ra8 And we reach a similar position as in the diagram above.

With this knowledge we can look at what kind of plan white and black has.

White’s plan consists of:
Use the rook to attack the a- pawn
Slowly advance the queenside pawns
Stop black from invading on the e- file

Black’s plan consists of:
Try to exchange one rook
Create an minority attack with the a- pawn
Invade with a rook on the e- file