The line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 Nf6 6. e5 Ng8
Your moves, explained
- 1. e4 Opens lines for your bishop and queen and stakes out d5 and f5.
- 2. Nf3 Attacks e5 and gets ready to castle.
- 3. d4 The Scotch pawn thrust challenges Black at once instead of waiting.
- 4. Nxd4 White controls the center and clears d1 so the queen can swing in next.
- 5. Qxd4 Queen centralises with tempo, bishops are ready, Black is already cramped.
- 6. e5 Gains space and drives the knight all the way back to g8, leaving Black totally passive.
Key moments in the video
- 0:17 Open king's pawn
- 0:28 Scotch recapture
- 0:46 Black's big mistake
- 0:48 Queen owns the center
- 1:11 Black walks into e5
- 1:14 Kick the knight back
Want the theory behind it? Read our Scotch Game Trap guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the moves of the Scotch Game Trap?
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 Nf6 6. e5 Ng8. You play White; When Black plays Nxd4 then Nf6, punish immediately with e5 to strand the knight on g8.
How do I practise the Scotch Game Trap?
Watch Remote Chess Academy's video, then play the line yourself on the board on this page. You make all 6 of White's moves; a wrong move is undone with a hint, and the key moments jump the video to where Remote Chess Academy explains each move.
Do I need an account?
No. The practice is free and runs in your browser. Sign up only if you want Chess DNA to find the openings that lose you games in your own Chess.com or Lichess history.
More videos to practise
- Ruy Lopez Queen Sacrifice Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
- Smith-Morra Gambit Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
- King's Indian Defense Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
- Ponziani Opening Trap (Remote Chess Academy)
- King's Gambit Accepted (Chess Talk)
- London System (GothamChess)
- All Watch & practice videos
The video is embedded from YouTube and belongs to Remote Chess Academy. Chess DNA is not affiliated with the creator. Updated Nov 10, 2026.