The big idea

What the Scotch Game is really about.

White opens the position at once instead of maneuvering slowly. By striking in the centre with d4 on move three, the pawns come off and the pieces get clear, open lines straight away. It is a direct, tactical choice that suits players who prefer activity over the long squeeze of the Italian or Ruy Lopez.

White's plan: Open the centre with d4, recapture on d4 with the knight, develop quickly, and use the lead in piece activity to seize the initiative in an open game.
Black's plan: Capture on d4 to keep things balanced, develop pieces actively with ...Nf6 or ...Bc5, challenge White's centralized knight, and aim for the freeing ...d5 break.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4

The Scotch opens the centre at once with 3.d4: White trades the d-pawn for fast development and open lines, while Black returns the pawn and frees the pieces with ...d5.

Why does White play 3.d4, giving up the central tension so soon?

Answer the question to keep going!