Openings
The Scotch Game
A first White repertoire: the centre, recapturing and two common replies.
Beginner · 500–1000Club foundations · 1000–1400
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4 lessonsOpenings
Leave the opening with a plan
Develop with a purpose, defend the centre and prepare castling without memorising variations.
Beginner · 500–1000
6 lessons · 24 min estimated practice
Practise this courseFree · No game imports needed
♜8♝♛♚♞♜♟7♟♟♟♟♟♟6♞5♝♟4♗♙3♘♙2♙♙♙♙♙♙♖1a♘b♗c♕d♔efg♖h
White to move
Try the first position
Develop while defending
Develop the b1 knight to defend e4.
Practise this courseWhat you will learn
Develop while defending
Beginner · 4 minThe b1 knight is still at home and the e4 pawn needs support.
Defend the centre as Black
Beginner · 4 minThe white knight attacks e5. You can defend it while developing a piece.
Give the bishop a job
Beginner · 4 minThe d-pawn has opened the c1 bishop’s diagonal.
Prepare Black’s castling
Beginner · 4 minThe knight has left g8, but the bishop still blocks castling.
Complete your king’s safety
Beginner · 4 minThe king and rook have not moved. The castling squares are clear and safe.
Castle as Black too
Beginner · 4 minThere are no pieces between your king and h8 rook. Castling is legal in this position.
Course references
These references accompany the teaching material. Explore explanations and exercises in the training room.
- IM Daniel Rensch · The principles of the opening
Conceptual reference. This exercise diagram and explanations are original RookHabit material.
Free · No game imports needed
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