This last chapter is a kind of introduction to the second database which will be dealing with 4.d3. On the diagram, we have a well-known theoretical position, that can be reached with different move orders. Now Black is at crossroads. The suggestion of Roiz is 5…a6. As usual, this prophylactic move is mainly aimed at securing a7 for the bishop. In the annotations to Chapter 10, Roiz proves that Black manages to equalize without too much effort.

GM Michael Roiz keeps building his 1.e4 e5 repertoire with another fascinating work – Expert Repertoire against the Scotch Game. The Scotch Game has always been considered a challenging and ambitious antidote to 1…e5. If you are an 1…e5 player, you should take this opening very seriously.