Scandinavian

Question 1

What is our typical setup against the Scandinavian (1…d5)?

Answer 1

After exd5, Qxd5 we play Nf3 (Covered Cards Variation). Our basic plan is to go for d4 and c4, grabbing the center, and only then play Nc3. We do this, whenever the opponent is not fighting for the d4 square.

Question 2

What do we play against 3…e5?

Answer 2

We play Nc3 attacking the queen with tempo. After Qa5, we continue with Bc4 targeting f7.

Question 3

What do we play against 3…c5?

Answer 3

We again play Nc3 attacking the queen with tempo followed by d4. We are ahead in development. We do not allow a queen exchange.

Question 4

What do we play after 3…Nc6?

Answer 4

Black fights for d4. So we attack his queen directly with Nc3. After …Qa5, we follow up with Bb5!

Question 5

How can we trap Black in the 3…Nc6 variation after 5. Bb5!?

Answer 5

After the natural …Bd7 we go for the queen with a3, b4. If Black takes the rook on a1, we trap his queen with Nd4, Nb3.

Question 6

What do we play against 3…Bg4?

Answer 6

We unpin the knight with Be2 and then play h3!. This move is important to include. With the bishop on h5, Black can no longer put his queen on f5, because g4 wins a piece.

Question 7

What is our final set up in the 3…Bg4 variation?

Answer 7

We are just in time to play our optimal setup: d4, c4, d5!.

Question 8

What do we play against 3…Qa5?

Answer 8

We go for the queen with Na3, Nc4. Then we play d4.

Question 9

What do we play against early checks by the queen?

Answer 9

We do not exchange queens. As always when the queen goes for an early walk we try to target c7 by playing Nc3, Bc4.

Question 10

What do we play against the Portuguese Variation (2…Nf6)?

Answer 10

We play Be2 preventing Black from playing Bg4. After that we go for our usual plan: d4, c4, Nc3.