Scandinavian Defence

@tpr said ^

Here

Thank you so much!!

@Dumbdumbisbatman said ^

Hello!!
I have been playing this opening with 2..Qxd5 across the 3 formats for a while now (bullet, blitz , and rapid) . I've been experimenting with different setups, particularly developing my bishop to e7 versus fianchettoing it with Bg7.

I'm interested in hearing from other Scandinavian players about which setups they prefer and why? I'm open to middle game plans , move ideas , personal exp...

Picture the classic Scandinavian. You take on d5 with the queen, White plays Nc3, and your queen has to move again. It feels like walking into a room and being asked to leave before you’ve sat down.

That’s why I play 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6. Same opening, different manners. The knight comes out first and takes back on d5 later. No tempo is handed over, and the queen stays home until she’s actually needed.

What I like most is how quickly Black gets active. The knight lands on d5, the light-squared bishop jumps to g4 or f5 before ...e6, so it never becomes the prisoner it often is in the French. Then development flows: ...e6, a bishop to e7 or d6, a knight to c6. And often I castle long and throw my kingside pawns forward. Black isn’t asking for permission, Black is making the first move of the fight.

The target is always clear. White usually keeps a pawn on d4, sometimes backed by c4. That pawn is his pride and his weakness at the same time. Black hits it with the pieces, prepares ...c5 or ...e5, and opens lines the moment White’s development lags behind. You’re never just defending. You always know what you’re aiming at.

And when White gets greedy with 3.c4? That’s where it gets fun. The Icelandic Gambit with 3...e6 gives up a pawn for rapid development and open lines against an uncastled king. Against 3.d4, the Portuguese with 3...Bg4 turns the game sharp right away. And 3.Bb5+ Bd7 is harmless once you know the idea.

It isn’t free, of course. If White keeps calm, builds the big centre and kicks your knight to b6, you need patience and good timing. But that’s exactly the kind of plan worth learning once: understand the ideas, wait for the moment, and strike.

For me it’s the right balance. Active pieces, a clear target, initiative from move two, and very little maintenance.

@lizani said ^

The question is not where you put the bishop but the queen after 3 Nc3.

"3. Qxd8" HeHEhEhe, tHe QuEeN aTe AiR, It mUst bE SmaRT

@DvdB This was actually really insightful! I can see why you prefer the 2...Nf6 approach, especially with the emphasis on active development and targeting White's centre rather than just getting the pieces out, it's just that playing aggressive on board is not my usual playing style .But this seems interesting so I'll definitely look into the Portuguese and Icelandic variations you mentioned. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed reply!

@yossso1234
Thankyou

@lizani said ^

When the world's strongest active player adopts the Scandinavian in classical OTB you have to take the opening seriously.

nuh-uh >:C

Black may hold a draw in the Portugese Gambit, but 2...Qxd5 is simpler and more active.

@Dumbdumbisbatman said ^

Hello!!
I have been playing this opening with 2..Qxd5 across the 3 formats for a while now (bullet, blitz , and rapid) . I've been experimenting with different setups, particularly developing my bishop to e7 versus fianchettoing it with Bg7.

I'm interested in hearing from other Scandinavian players about which setups they prefer and why? I'm open to middle game plans , move ideas , personal exp...

I don't play the Scandi as Black, but I do have some useful training notes.

1. e4 d5
2. exd5 Qxd5
3. Nc3 Qd6
4. d4 Nf6
   5.Be3 a6

3...Qd6 is the modern system. The main idea is to impede white's development, primarily Bf4. Often g3 or Ne2 are needed, but that costs time.

Black has simple development: Nf6; c6; Bf5/g4; e6; Nd7; Be7; 0-0; Rd8. The black queen generally ends up on c7 in some lines.

Expansion on the queenside is behind ... a6. b5 is coming, and works well against a queenside castle by white.

This is a solid, simple way to play the Scandi.

"Picture the classic Scandinavian. You take on d5 with the queen, White plays Nc3, and your queen has to move again. It feels like walking into a room and being asked to leave before you’ve sat down."

3. Nc3 Qd6 is more like "walking into a room and the host gets up from his chair and you plop right down in it in the middle of the room, shamelessly, and ask him to get you a beer while he is up."