Don Chess

Learn the Scandinavian Defense

Confrontation from move 1: 1…d5 hits White’s e-pawn at once. Little theory, clear plans – ideal for getting started.

You play with Black. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5

B01 · Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Mieses Variation

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…d5 Attacks the pawn on e4 – the fight for the centre begins.
  3. 2.exd5 Takes the pawn on d5.
  4. 2…Qxd5 Takes back on d5 – material is level again.
  5. 3.Nc3 Develops the knight to c3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  6. 3…Qa5 The queen was attacked and goes to safety on a5.
  7. 4.d4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on d4.
  8. 4…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  9. 5.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  10. 5…c6 Gains space with the pawn on c6.
  11. 6.Bc4 Develops the bishop to c4 – pieces out first, then attack.
  12. 6…Bf5 Develops the bishop to f5 – pieces out first, then attack.

Idea and plans

The idea

1…d5 attacks e4 at once. After 2.exd5 Black usually recaptures with the queen (…Qxd5) or the knight (…Nf6).

Plan for White

Gain time against the queen with Nc3, develop quickly and use the space with d4.

Plan for Black

Park the queen on a5 or d6, bishop to f5/g4, then …c6 and …e6: a solid Caro-Kann-like structure.

Tip

If White plays 2.e5 instead of taking, …Bf5 followed by …e6 and …c5, as in the French, is a good answer.

The 8 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

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More openings