Hi guys, I've been experimenting with this line against lower rated players, and have seen some pretty good results. I'm not really playing the book line though, just developing and Castling queenside. Do you think this line is playable OTB, and what would you play against it?

Here's the line:

The Qd6 scandinavian is not only playable, it's pretty good! It's steadily becoming part of my repertoire. I only have one game playing it on here and it's a lost, but to a better player which doesn't mean much. Here's a link to a Roman's lab, the comments are exaggerated but interesting (I've seen it, it's alright) The main advantage of the scandinavian is that white is pretty much forced to get into it without giving away an advantage (except if he transposes to a Panov-Botvinnik attack), so you get a fully playable opening with a twentieth of the effort that you need to play the other openings against e4.

http://www.classicalgames.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=002779

However, you need to play c6 to prevent the threats to the queen with the knight, the old move was a6, but it was shown unsound vs a kingside fianchetto. Castling kingside is also sounder.

Yeah, I know the main line is to play c6 and castle kingside, I was just wondering about this line instead. I know there is the threat of Nb5, but the queen just falls back to d7 and the knight gets kicked the next move with a6 anyway. If it's after the castling, like in the final position, the queen looks safe on a6 for the time being. My main point of experimenting with that line is to launch a quick attack on the kingside.

Originally posted by clandarkfire
Yeah, I know the main line is to play c6 and castle kingside, I was just wondering about this line instead. I know there is the threat of Nb5, but the queen just falls back to d7 and the knight gets kicked the next move with a6 anyway. If it's after the castling, like in the final position, the queen looks safe on a6 for the time being. My main point of experimenting with that line is to launch a quick attack on the kingside.

Well yes, If white plays d4, then one must go with c6 or Nf6, which may or may not transpose into the original line. Having said that, I've found that most players I've played just go with Nf3.

Originally posted by clandarkfire
Well yes, If white plays d4, then one must go with c6 or Nf6, which may or may not transpose into the original line. Having said that, I've found that most players I've played just go with Nf3.

I understand what kind of play you're trying to get, and I can strongly recommend you the scandinavian with 2...Nf6. The portuguese variation plays like the way you were describing, although the main line is interesting as well.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Originally posted by clandarkfire
Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Hi guys, I've been experimenting with this line against lower rated players, and have seen some pretty good results.

Good results against lower rated players. Hmm...


Isn't that generally true no matter which opening you choose? I'd bet you could open 1.e4 a6 and still get pretty good results.

Originally posted by Eladar
[b]Hi guys, I've been experimenting with this line against lower rated players, and have seen some pretty good results.

Good results against lower rated players. Hmm...


Isn't that generally true no matter which opening you choose? I'd bet you could open 1.e4 a6 and still get pretty good results.[/b]

Originally posted by Sam The Sham
Ohhhhh duuuuuude you got it.

"Gee I use this opening against lower rated players and win with it wonder why"