The Stonewall Attack - Opening Theory

Conquer the Center:
Master the Stonewall Attack !

Want to dominate the center of the board and launch crushing attacks? The Stonewall Attack, a dynamic opening for White after 1.d4, is your answer! This opening helps you build a rock-solid pawn structure, giving you a strong foundation to control the game. Here's what makes it so powerful:

• Quick Development: Get your pieces out fast and put pressure on your opponent.

• Central Control: Dominate the center, making it difficult for Black to find good squares.

• Space Advantage: Gain more space on the board, making it easier to maneuver your pieces.

• King Safety: The pawn structure provides excellent protection for your king.

• Simplified Structure: Focus on coordinating your pieces with a clear pawn plan.

• Pressure on Black: Constrict your opponent's options and force them to react to your threats.

• Kingside Power: Create opportunities for powerful pawn storms that put Black's king in danger.

Dive into the resources below and unlock the secrets of the Stonewall Attack!

Stonewall Attack Wikipedia Page

Bishops Bounty Stonewall Pawn Structure Page 

Bishop's Bounty Dutch Stonewall Page 

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 Stonewall Attack Chess Articles 

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Stonewall Attack.

The Kenilworth Chess Club

• The Stonewall Attack - This lecture by National Master Yaacov Norowitz explores the Stonewall Attack, a powerful chess opening for White. He covers key concepts, variations, and illustrative games, making it a valuable resource for players looking to master this strategy. (Archived)
• Yaacov's ICC Games with the Stonewall - 36 games you can play through with a Viewer (Archived)
• Supplemental Stonewall Games. - 4 classic Stonewall Games (Archived)

The Battering Ram - Chess.com article by GM Vinay Bhat - on one of the main ways to combat the Stonewall Attack.

Stonewall Attack: A Sure and Steady Opening - Chessable Blog Opening Guide - general Overview of the Opening and plans w/ 8 Min Embedded Video.

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Stonewall Attack LiChess Studies 

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• Stonewall Attack  - 10 Chapter Interactive Study  (1395 hearts) Lean with a fully Interactive Study, Main Lines, main Defenses and Model games.
  
  
• Stonewall Strategies  - 12 Chapter Study (49 hearts) - Goes through Full games showing the Different Strategy's Play out and explanations.
  
  
• Stonewall Attack (Black) - 4 Chapter Study - Show 4 Different ways to play against the Stonewall.

LiStudy  (LiChess Move Trainer Site )

Stonewall Strategy's  - 11 Chapters to Learn and Practice

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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GAME DATABASES

Analyze real-life games featuring the Stonewall Attack and see how it's played in practice.

365Chess.com

D00: Queen's pawn, stonewall attack 1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3  - 2136 Games

ChessTempo.com

Queen Pawn Game, Stonewall Attack (D00) - 2271 Games

Chessgames.com

Stonewall attack - 8 games 
f-ck stonewall attack  - 5 games (all are 0-1 Black Victory)
Stonewall Opening - 434 games

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Stonewall Attack Video Lessons

Playlists

• How to play the Stonewall Attack - (Playlist of 13 Video Stonewall Series) Assorted Videos
  
• Aman's Stonewall Speedrun - Playlist of 19 Videos - GM Aman Hambelton (400-2200 Rating - Each game being a live lesson in how to play this opening.)

EASY & Powerful Chess Opening for Beginners 2024 -  12 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - Shares one of the easiest chess openings to learn for beginners. At the same time, it's a powerful chess opening for White after 1.d4.

Stonewall Attack - Beginner Breakdown - 36 Min - St.Louis Chess Club - Mike Kummer looks at scholastic player Grayson Marks's games. Grayson has been playing the Stonewall Attack with white.

Opening Basics #35: Stonewall attack - 36 Min - Jim's Chess Channel - Rarely seen at the top level, this aggressive opening is still played at the club level. It gives white a quick attack in exchange for some structural deficiencies, and leads to interesting play.

The Best Stonewall Lesson to Easily Understand - 14 Min - The main ideas behind the Stonewall Attack, for White.

Learn the Stonewall Defense & Attack | 10-Minute Chess Openings - 9 Min -Gotham

Chess Beginner to Master Series - Section 2 - Stonewall Attack Opening for White - 70 min - Chess w/ Coach mark - We will discuss the pawn structures, early development, attacking ideas, and how to handle black's response to this opening.

IChess Stonewall Attack Series

• Beginner Chess Openings - ⚔️ The Stonewall Attack - Greek Gift Sacrifice - 10 Min - FM Will Stewart explains the classic Stonewall Attack structure and plans.
• Beginner Chess Openings - ⚔️ The Stonewall Attack (Part 2) - Zukertort System - 10 Min - FM Will Stewart reviews a few Black set-ups that could cause problems for White.
• Stonewall Attack Beginner Chess Openings Series - Managing the Sidelines (Part 3) - 10 Min - a few side variations by black and the best common plans for white.
• Chess Openings for White - Stonewall Attack - Part 4 - How to Beat a Fianchetto Defense - 12 Min - Features none other than former World Chess Champion Mikhail Botvinnik employing the Stonewall Defense with the black pieces in Groningen 1946 against Herman Steiner.

Stonewall Legacy Series 

Introduction - 6 min Video
Baltic Defense - 10 min Video
The Baltic Trap 4...Nc6! -5 min Video
Horowitz Defense - 10 min Video
Teichmann Defense - 11 min Video
Mainline with 5....Bd6 -11 min Video
Mainline with 6....Qc7 - 7 min Video
Bg4 Lines - 10 min Video

Beating the Stonewall 

Study the key ideas, typical plans, and critical lines for punishing the Stonewall and seizing the initiative.

• How To Beat The Stonewall Attack! - 12 Min GM Max Illingworth - Discover GM Max's solution, which allows Black to gain a very nice advantage with straightforward, strong central play!
  
  
• My Top 3 Systems Against the Stonewall | Grandmaster Repertoire - 6 Min - GM Moulthun Ly - Three favorite systems to play against the Stonewall. Despite the name there are more than one way to poke holes in this opening. Aggressive, Positional and Breaking open the Center.
  
  
• Trickiest line against Stonewall Attack - 14 Min - GJ_Chess - A cool tricky line against Stonewall Attack opening, where black can trick white in the opening move order & get winning position very quickly.
  
  
• How to crush the stonewall setup - 8 Min - Jim Plunketts Chess Lab - Title says it all.

Stonewall Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Stonewall Chess Opening -  16 Video playlist  - kingscrusher
Stonewall Attack Speedrun (600 to 2300) -  9 Video playlist  - NM Robert Ramirez (Over 18 hrs of Video) (New - 6/11/2024)

Standard Chess #260: aaaaaaa101 vs. IM Bartholomew (Stonewall Attack) - 66 Min
The Stonewall Attack To Learn From | Harry Nelson Pillsbury vs Jean  - 5 Min  - Chess School
Crushing With The Stonewall Attack | Akiba Rubinstein vs Richard Reti - 5 Min - Chess School
Stonewall Brilliancy | Henry Edward Bird vs John Wisker  - 6 Min - Chess School
I Almost Lost To The Stonewall! | Speed Run Series | GM Moulthun Ly - 24 min - GM Moulthun ly

Shutting DOWN The Stonewall Attack | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky  - 28 min - analyzes a chess game where he explains his mistakes and better alternatives, focusing on the Stonewall Attack and the King's Indian defense.

PGN Game Downloads

Stonewall Attack - 60 games (From U of Pitt Chess Archive)

"The cautious seldom err." - Confucius

The Scotch Game: A Comprehensive Resource Guide for White (C44-C45)

 

Feeling hemmed in by the Ruy Lopez? 
 Unleash Your Inner Tactician with the Scotch

• Dynamic and Aggressive: The Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) is a fantastic opening choice for White players who crave dynamic positions and tactical opportunities. It avoids the complex lines of the Ruy Lopez while offering a rich battlefield for attacking chances.

• Suitable for All Levels: Whether you're a beginner looking for an exciting first opening or a seasoned player seeking new ideas, the Scotch Game offers something for everyone. Its clear development plans and central focus make it easy to learn, while its tactical depth provides a challenge for experienced players.

• Master the Scotch with Free Resources: This comprehensive guide equips you with all the tools you need to conquer the center and launch a fierce attack. We'll explore key variations, sharpen your tactical vision with puzzles, and provide video lessons from Chess GMs to elevate your game.

Let's explore the Scotch Game together!
Scroll down to discover articles, puzzles, video lessons, and more!


Scotch Game Wikipedia Page 
This page offers a solid foundation for understanding the opening's main lines, variations, and key ideas. 

 Wikipedia Links To All the Variation Explanations

• Main variations

  • 2.1

    Main line: 4.Nxd4

    • 2.1.1

      Classical Variation: 4...Bc5

    • 2.1.2

      Schmidt Variation: 4...Nf6

    • 2.1.3

      Steinitz Variation: 4...Qh4!?

  • 2.2

    Scotch Gambit: 4.Bc4

  • 2.3

    Göring Gambit: 4.c3

    • 2.3.1

      4...d5

    • 2.3.2

      Other ways of declining

    • 2.3.3

      One-pawn gambit: 4...dxc3 5.Nxc3

    • 2.3.4

      Double-pawn gambit: 4...dxc3 5.Bc4

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Books & Courses (FREE)

FREE Chessable Course

• Short & Sweet: Scotch Game - (Chessable) offers you 16 free trainable variations for you to test the waters of one of the most daring and exciting openings to ever grace the board.
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Scotch -  WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni & by IM Alex Astaneh -  you're able to sample the finest Scotch repertoire for free, with 10 starter lines w/ 50 min Video that give you a taste of what you can come to expect in the full course.
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Scotch for Black - CM Juan Almaguer - Everything’s packed into 12 MoveTrainer® variations and 32 minutes of video. So you can pick up the basics and start winning with the Mieses Variation on the same day if you like.
  
  
• The Scotch Gambit Starter Kit - Everything’s covered in just 31 trainable variations. Meaning you can start playing and winning with the Scotch Gambit in the next hour or two.
  
  

Internet Archive

500 Scotch Miniatures By Bill Wall - 107 Page PDF


4 Opening Systems to Start With - 50 page PDF - Free Exeter Chess Club PDF (Public Domain E-Book) This booklet gives you a repertoire to play when you are starting out in chess. It also gives you some alternatives if for some reason you don't like my first choice. The core of the repertoire is to play as White the Scotch Gambit.

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Scotch Chess Articles and Lessons

Deepen your theoretical knowledge of the Scotch Game with a collection of in-depth articles from chess experts.

• Scotch Gambit The Complete Guide - Learn a quick and aggressive way to play the Scotch Opening with the Scotch Gambit in this ChessTIER guide. Perfect for players who enjoy sharp tactics.
  
  
• Scotch Game -  Chess Simplified Guide - This guide explores how to play White and Black in the Scotch Game chess opening, including aggressive strategies and effective counters.
  
  
• The Scotch Opening and Attacking opening for White - Big article on iChess.net - This guide explores why the Scotch is a great opening for various chess styles, how to play it effectively, and variations like the Four Knights and Mieses. (Archived)
  
  
• Chess Opening Basics The Scotch Game - on the Chessable Blog  (Decent Article) - This guide breaks down the core ideas behind the Scotch Game chess opening, making it easy for beginners to understand development and gain space in the center.

 

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Scotch Lichess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• Scotch Gambit - 11 Chapter Study - Nice Look at the Different Lines.
  
  
• Scotch Game - 7 Chapter - This quick Lichess study provides a concise overview of the main Scotch Game lines. (Good for beginners)
    
• Scotch Game w/ Ideas and Outcomes:  - 40 Chapter Study (Interactive)  (Really Well Done) (1100 Hearts) - This comprehensive Lichess study delves into the key ideas and outcomes of various Scotch Game and Gambit lines, featuring interactive puzzles for practice. (Comprehensive guide for all levels)
  
  
• The ultimate Scotch gambit guide - 19 Chapter Study - Lines, and model games

LiStudy   (Learn and Practice opening with Movetrainer)

• Scotch Game (White)  -  24 Lines to Practice
• Scotch Opening Repertoire  - 7 Lines to Practice
• In Depth Scotch Repertoire  -  30 Lines to Practice  (Really Nice)
• Scotch Gambit (Jedi Guide)  -  11 Lines to Practice

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge of the Scotch Game. Find the Lichess study that best suits your needs and start mastering the Scotch Game today!

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Scotch Game Chess Puzzles 

Sharpen Your Scotch Game Tactics! Test your skills with a collection of puzzles featuring typical tactical motifs and attacking chances that arise in Scotch Game positions.

(WTHarvey - 10,000 Chess Puzzles) 

Scotch Game (C45) - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 (10 Puzzles)

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Italian Game: Scotch Gambit - 2221 Puzzles 
Scotch Game - 24,000 Puzzles (Can break down puzzles to 17 variations on main page)

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Games Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Scotch and see how it's played in practice.

365Chess.com

Scotch Game Guide - 43,000 Games
C45: Scotch game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 - 29,515 games
C44: King's pawn game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 - 324,000 Games

Chessgames.com

Kings pawn game c44 -  27 Annotated games
Scotch game c45  - 50 Annotated games



Annotated Games 
 Deep Fritz - Kramnik, Vladimir (2807) [C45] 

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Scotch Game Video Lessons 

Learn from chess masters in video tutorials that explain the Scotch's key ideas and strategies.

Scotch Game Opening Theory - 6 Video Playlist - Hanging Pawns

ST Louis Chess Club Videos 

The Scotch Game - Chess Openings Explained  - 45 Min - Jonathan Schrantz teaches the Scotch Game, an underestimated opening that releases tension in the center early. Besides two notable games, the Goering gambit and the Dubois-Reti defence are also covered.
Let's Do Scotch! | Chess and Psychology - IM Dorsa Derakhshani - 52 Min - Dorsa Derakhshani takes you inside her head as she relives her games in the Scotch Game or Scotch Opening.

Opening Problems | Scotch | French | King's Indian - GM Yasser Seirawan - 50 Min - Intermediate-level lecture at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Club member Ken West asks for help in the Scotch

Nick Risko
Series on the Scotch Game or Scotch Opening.

• A Shot of Scotch #1: Third Move Sidelines | Chess Openings Explained - 69 Min
• A Shot of Scotch #2: Scotch Gambit, Bc5 Lines | Chess Openings Explained - 56 Min
• A Shot of Scotch #3: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Reti & Nakhmanson | Chess Openings Explained - 63 min
• A Shot of Scotch #4: Göring Gambit | Chess Openings Explained - 41 Min
• A Shot of Scotch #5: Queen Moves | Chess Openings Explained - 51 Min
• A Shot of Scotch: The Napoleon Gambit | Chess Openings Explained - 18 Min

 
A Magical Chess Opening for ALL Levels - 16 Min (Potter Variation)  IM Rozman - The Scotch, in particular the Potter Variation. A very easy opening for beginners who are looking to get good at chess.

Chess Openings: How To Play The Scotch Gambit - Quickstarter Jedi Guide - 31 Min

Attack with the Scotch and Giuoco Piano! - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili - 35 Min

DOMINATE with Black against the Scotch Gambit! (EMPIRE CHESS) - 16 Min - GM Victor Mikhalevski demonstrates the perils awaiting any unprepared player with the black pieces against the Scotch Gambit along with several impressive examples of successful defense.

Scotch Gambit 

Scotch Gambit  - 11 Video Playlist - FM James Canty III

• The Best Chess Opening against 1...e5 | Scotch Gambit Traps - 19 Min - Instead of taking the pawn back with 4.Nxd4, White plays in gambit style, sacrificing the pawn, for rapid development and great attacking opportunities. You'll enjoy this line a lot because it is solid, aggressive, and easy to learn.
  
  
• The Scotch Gambit: Great Examples and Ideas for White! - 26 Min  Ichess.net - Roman looks at a number of Scotch Gambit lines with emphasis upon White maintaining an advantage in every possible line.
  
  
• The Max Lange Attack in the Scotch Gambit | An Opening full of Traps | IM Alex Astaneh - 24 Min - Showing you the Max Lange Attack that can arise out of the Scotch Gambit. The Max Lange Attack is not only popular at the master level but also at the club level as it offers a dynamic play.
  
  
• How to Play the Scotch Gambit | Grandmaster Repertoire - 40 Min GM Moulthun - Molton dissects variations after White gambits the d-pawn (4.Bc4) in the Scotch Game. Learn aggressive ideas to capitalize on the pawn sacrifice!
  
  
• Grab the Initiative and become unstoppable with the Scotch Gambit! - 20 Min  GM Roman Dzindzichashvili - Roman looks at unexpected variations to get a good position in the Scotch Gambit with 4.Bc4 rather than capturing The Pawn in the main Line Scotch with 4.Nxd4 is his featured game.

 

Goring Gambit 

Goring Gambit Series - 10 Video Playlist - AS Chess School

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Goring Gambit! - 21 Min - The Chess Giant - Solomon Rodell explores this aggressive gambit (1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 3.d4 exd4 4.c3!). Learn how to punish Black's unusual defense!

The NEW (and better!) Danish Gambit | Repertoire: Goring Gambit - 32 Min - FM William Graf - Surprise your opponent with a sneaky gambit! Graif explores this aggressive line (1.e4 Nf3 3.c3 4.d4!) for White in the Danish Gambit. Sacrifice for a tempo and dominate the center! (You Transpose to the Scotch)

Attacking Chess Gambit against 1.e5 (Goring Gambit) - 30 Min - In-depth tutorial on the Goring Gambit, an aggressive chess opening strategy against 1.e5.

Chess Opening for Black (Goring Gambit) - 20 Min - A comprehensive guide on how to counter the Goring Gambit in chess when playing as black.

Scotch Game | Göring Gambit - 21 Min - Hanging Pawns - The Göring Gambit is a very aggressive, highly provocative and slightly unsound continuation for white. He gives up a full pawn for development and an attempt for a deadly initiative.  (New - 6/10/2024)

Scotch Game Traps

Chess Trap 27 (Counter-Trap Against Scotch Gambit) - 12 Min

Deadly Scotch Game Trap | Hyper-Aggressive Opening for White - 7 Min

Chess TRAPS in the Scotch Gambit opening! ♔ Paul Morphy ♕ QUEEN Sac! - 3 Min

Scotch gambit chess opening - strong attacking traps you should know - 15 Min - We take a look at Scotch gambit game and some amazing attacking options and "traps" white has prepared for player playing the black pieces by not allowing him to castle.

Best Chess Opening for White After 1.e4 | Scotch Gambit Traps - 16 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - Out of the 3 most common responses of Black, 2 moves are huge mistakes and lose the game for Black immediately.

Black Side of the Scotch

 GJ_Chess

• Chess Opening for Black (Scotch Game - 1)  - 26 Min - GJ_Chess
• Chess Opening for Black (Scotch Game - 2)  - 27 Min  - GJ_Chess
• Chess Opening for Black (Evans Gambit) - 22 Min - GJ CHess

How to play against the Scotch  -  24 Min - NM Robert Plunketts lab - I go over all the main options and some of the trickiest options for black on how to play against the Scotch opening

Scotch Game - A Short, Simple Repertoire for Black - 21 Min - A brief, easy-to-remember repertoire for Black against the Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4).

Chess Opening For Black against E4 | Scotch Game - 6 Min - Coach Kestony 

My SECRET Anti-Scotch Opening System [No Theory] - 19 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - You will cut down on a lot of opening theory by learning a single variation that can be played against all these lines. The London Defense variation, which occurs after 4...Bb4+ in the Scotch Gambit, forces White to react to the check, thus limiting their choices. You will also learn the common opening mistakes to avoid, middlegame plans, typical attacking ideas, and some deadly traps

Scotch GAME VIDEOS (w/Analysis)

Scotch Opening  - 60 Video Playlist - Chess School
Scotch Game  - 12 Video Playlist  - agadmantor
Scotch Game  - 68 Video playlist - kingscrusher

This Guy Just Demolished a Super GM with SCOTCH GAMBIT - 12 Min - Awonder Liang just won an incredibly beautiful game with the Scotch Gambit against Levon Aronian

GM Naroditsky
Amazing Game Videos w/ Lots of Analysis and GM lessons.

• Beginner To Master | Chess Speedrun | Scotch Game  - 20 Min
• Master Class | The Scotch Game | Chess Speedrun  - 34 min
• Scotch Gambit (AMAZING Game) | The Sensei Speedrun  - 61 Min
• Scotch Game: Göring, Main Line | The Sensei Speedrun - 28 Min 

"Fortune favors the bold." - Virgil (Poet)