scotch gambit declined.Ne4 variation after d5 HUGE trouble understanding the line)

https://lichess.org/game/qmqHNTF37SX8

thought of Ne4 here but i got dumbfonded seeing my pawn was lost , i learnt blind memorization really harms, can anybody explain the idea behind it, heres what the opening book and engine recommends

###AS BLACK

https://lichess.org/analysis#29-1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O Bc5 10. f3 Ng5 11. f4 Ne4 12. Be3 Qb8 13. b3 O-O 14. Nd2 Nc3 15. Qe1

https://lichess.org/game/qmqHNTF37SX8 thought of Ne4 here but i got dumbfonded seeing my pawn was lost , i learnt blind memorization really harms, can anybody explain the idea behind it, heres what the opening book and engine recommends ###AS BLACK https://lichess.org/analysis#29-1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O Bc5 10. f3 Ng5 11. f4 Ne4 12. Be3 Qb8 13. b3 O-O 14. Nd2 Nc3 15. Qe1

tpr

You learn nothing by resigning an equal position.
You have won a pawn with 3...exd4 and now white regains it with 7 Nxd4.
As white plays 8 Bxc6, black gains the bishop's pair: Bd7 has no opposition.
With 10 f3 white kicks Ne4 from its outpost, but after 11 f4 the knight re-installs itself on the outpost.

You learn nothing by resigning an equal position. You have won a pawn with 3...exd4 and now white regains it with 7 Nxd4. As white plays 8 Bxc6, black gains the bishop's pair: Bd7 has no opposition. With 10 f3 white kicks Ne4 from its outpost, but after 11 f4 the knight re-installs itself on the outpost.

tpr

Here is a perfect ICCF correspondence game that proves the position is equal.

https://lichess.org/game/ifHKBBvw#30

Here is a perfect ICCF correspondence game that proves the position is equal. https://lichess.org/game/ifHKBBvw#30

lizani edited

6... Ne4 is the main line but 6... Nd7 is playable and less theoretical. For example 7 0-0 Be7 8 Re1 0-0 9 Bxc6 bxc6 10 Nxd4 Nb8.

tpr edited

Yes, 6...Nd7 is playable too, example:

https://lichess.org/game/D7tYaY1w#12

Yes, 6...Nd7 is playable too, example: https://lichess.org/game/D7tYaY1w#12