Chess Openings: Scandinavian Defense

Category – Semi Open Game

Opening Move Sequence – 1 e4 d5

ECO Codes – B01

Scandinavian Defense also known as Center Counter Defense was documented in a game played in 1475 in Valencia and again in 1497, which gives it a documented history few others have. It was called Scandinavian after master players from that region engaged in its analysis. While not popular it has made occasional appearances at very highest level of chess.

Scandinavian Defense falls under the category of Semi-Open Game openings that begin with 1 e4 without 1 ...e5. Its ECO code is B01.

Moves and Variations

1 e4 d5

From here the play will commonly continue with 2.exd5. Black can reply with 2 ...Qxd5 or 2 ... Nf6.

2 exd5 Qxd5

If 2.exd5 Qxd5, White gains a tempo after by 3 Nc3 Qa5. Game may proceed 4 d4 Nf6, 5.Nf3 Bg4, (or 5 ... Bf5), 6 h3 Bh5, 7 g4 Bg6, 8 Ne5, with White later fianchettoing the Bishop to g2. The positions have a certain resemblance to Caro-Kann.

Other possibilities are 3 ...Qd8, 3 ...Qe5+!?(Patzer Variation), and 3 ...Qd6 (Bronstein Variation or Pytel Variation). This last variation has recently become very popular. A more certainly dubious variation is 3 ... Qe6+, (followed by 4.Be2 Qg6).

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2 exd5 Nf6 (Marshall Gambit)

Here Black postpones the capture by a move in order to avoid premature development of Queen and subsequent loss of tempo. Both sides gain possibilities here.

After 3 c4, 3 ... e6 leads to still relatively unstudied variation called the Icelandic Gambit. More familiar 3... c6 will result in, after 4 dxc6 Nxc6, with better development and control of d4 for Black in return for lost pawn. If 4 d4 the game transforms to Panov-Botvinnik Attack variation in Caro-Kann Defense.

After 3.Bb5+, Game is sharp and complicated. The play may proceed; 3 ... Bd7, 4 Bc4 Bg4, (4 ... b5!? is possible as well), 5 f3 Bf5, 6 Nc3 Nbd7, 7 Qe2 Nb6, 8 Bb3 Qd7, 9 d6!. While Black may not regain the lost pawn, positional and developmental advantages do accrue to him in return. 3 ... Nbd7 is also gaining in popularity.

If White decides not to defend the pawn after 2 ... Nf6 as is usually the case, play may proceed; 3 d4 Nxd5 followed by 4 Nf3 or 4 c4. These variations resemble positions in Alekhine Defense (1 e4 Nf6). Black may try 3 ... Bg4!? (Portuguese Variation also called Jadoul Variation) to get a game resembling Icelandic Gambit.

Kiel Variation is another possibility; 3 d4 Nxd5 4 c4 Nb4!? . There is a trap; if 5 Qa4+? N8c6, 6 d5 b5!, but White can gain by playing 5 a3.

3 Nc3 Nxd5, transforms to Alekhine Defense with equal play for Black.

Alternatives to 2 exd5

To avoid 2 exd5, and theory associated with it, White can play d4 resulting in transforming the game to Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. By using 2 e5 the game can be transformed to French Defense after 2 ...e6. If Black plays 2 ... c5 or 2 ... Bf5 here the play resembles Advance Variation in Caro-Kann Defense but with an additional tempo for Black since now c5 advance takes just one move. 2 Nc3 transforms to Dunst Opening in case 2 ...d4 or 2 ...dxe4. Another rare possibility is 2 d3.

Because Variations other than 2 exd5 leads to even play for both sides White will avoid them. This means that by playing 1 ...d5 Black is in effect forcing 2 exd5 by limiting options. This is in contrast to varied possibilities in other openings for White. This has resulted in many players adopting this as Black.

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