The Scotch Gambit is the most aggressive way for white to play the Scotch Game. With the pawn sacrifice, white attempts to seize the initiative and start an attack!
For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: • Scotch Game | Ideas, P...
While it might not be the best move, Bc4 is definitely the most straightforward continuation white could choose and it sends a clear message to black. With the bishop on the most active diagonal, white is looking at the critical square f7, and in many variations, black could easily go wrong and lose because of that.
In compensation for that, black gets the d4 pawn (for the moment at least). White doesn’t recapture on d4, and is aware that he could be a pawn down permanently, but plays for time and piece activity. The truth is, though, that in most variations of the Scotch Gambit white does manage to recapture the d4 pawn and equalize in material.
The Scotch Gambit is seldom played on the highest level, as most grandmasters choose the main move instead, Nxd4, recapturing immediately. The reason for that eludes me, though. The opening seems perfectly playable and white has more than enough compensation in most lines, or wins the pawn back. I find it to be a great and interesting way to avoid playing the theory-heavy Ruy Lopez and Italian.
After white plays Bc4, black has two main ways to respond. Either Nf6, or the sideline Bc5. Both moves are ok for both sides, with playable positions and chances for an attack. GM Lev Alburt recommends the gambit in his book on a repertoire for white, and several other Gms have played the opening successfully.
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