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Train this openingAbout this opening
Black hits your pawn on the first move, and you should take. exd5 is the most played reply here and scores well, because after exd5 Qxd5 Nc3 the queen has to move again and you develop with gain of time. That tempo is the whole argument for playing this way. The alternative, e5, gains space but hands Black an easy game with the light-squared bishop free and c5 to come. Be careful about the queen: chase it only with moves that develop, because a pawn move that attacks the queen but weakens your own position is a poor bargain.
Plans
- Take with exd5 and hit the queen with Nc3.
- Play d4 to seize the center while Black loses time.
- Develop with Nf3 and Bc4 and castle short.
- Chase the queen only with developing moves, never loose pawns.
Where the pieces belong
- Knight: c3, gaining a tempo on the queen
- Pawn: d4, the center you get for free
- Bishop: c4, aiming at f7 while Black is undeveloped
- Knight: f3, covering d4 and e5
- King: castled short by move seven
You come out a tempo ahead with a broad center. Black's position is solid but passive, so keep the extra space and avoid trades that release the pressure.
Variations
Scandinavian Defense
2. b3
Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit
2. exd5 e5 3. dxe6 Bxe6
Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation
2. exd5 Qxd5
Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation
2. exd5 Nf6
Van Geet Opening: Grünfeld Defense
2. Nc3 dxe4 3. Nxe4 e5