1.e4 d5 2.e5 c5 3.Nf3 Bg4Over the next few weeks we're going to take a look at the Scandinavian defence. Doubtless many of you react the way we do when our opponent replies to 1 e4 with 1...d5 – a deep intake of breath, wearily expelled just audibly enough to let Black know that he has already ruined the game for both of us. But the Scandinavian has hidden depths, not least the rock-solid pawn structure. Let's start with the basic position in the diagram. How would you deal with 2 e5 or 2 Nc3?
RB I like playing the French, so after 2 e5 I'd probably try to steer the opening into the Advance variation with 2...e6, and hope that I'm not going to be move-ordered. After 2 Nc3 I am tempted to push the pawn – 2...d4. Where does the white knight go – 3 Nce2...? Black looks OK. The obvious move now is 3...e5, grabbing space, supporting the d-pawn and setting up a central pawn chain.
DK How Black deals with 2 Nc3 is largely a matter of taste. Pushing is OK as White loses some time, but personally I don't feel comfortable with Black's position. After 2...d4 3 Nce2 e5 White will play Ng3, Bc4, Nf3, d3 (in roughly that order) and get a decent attacking position on the kingside. If I were playing Black I would prefer 2...dxe4 3 Nxe4 Nd7, followed by ... Nf6 and simple development. Black has broken down White's pawn centre, and that is already some achievement.
Against 2 e5, Ronan's preference of 2...e6 could lead to a French defence after 3 d4 c5, which is wholly acceptable. But Black can play more ambitiously. 2…c5 is a strong move, starting the process of surrounding the e-pawn. Black is still aiming for a French-type position, but with the vast improvement that he can bring his queen's bishop outside the pawn chain. So 3 Nf3 can be met by 3…Bg4 – adding pressure to the e-pawn, and only then … e6.
To sum up, 2 Nc3 and 2 e5 present Black with no difficulties. If White wants to gain an advantage against the Scandinavian, 2 exd5 is the only move – and it's the one we'll be considering next week.
chess@guardian.co.uk
RB I like playing the French, so after 2 e5 I'd probably try to steer the opening into the Advance variation with 2...e6, and hope that I'm not going to be move-ordered. After 2 Nc3 I am tempted to push the pawn – 2...d4. Where does the white knight go – 3 Nce2...? Black looks OK. The obvious move now is 3...e5, grabbing space, supporting the d-pawn and setting up a central pawn chain.
DK How Black deals with 2 Nc3 is largely a matter of taste. Pushing is OK as White loses some time, but personally I don't feel comfortable with Black's position. After 2...d4 3 Nce2 e5 White will play Ng3, Bc4, Nf3, d3 (in roughly that order) and get a decent attacking position on the kingside. If I were playing Black I would prefer 2...dxe4 3 Nxe4 Nd7, followed by ... Nf6 and simple development. Black has broken down White's pawn centre, and that is already some achievement.
Against 2 e5, Ronan's preference of 2...e6 could lead to a French defence after 3 d4 c5, which is wholly acceptable. But Black can play more ambitiously. 2…c5 is a strong move, starting the process of surrounding the e-pawn. Black is still aiming for a French-type position, but with the vast improvement that he can bring his queen's bishop outside the pawn chain. So 3 Nf3 can be met by 3…Bg4 – adding pressure to the e-pawn, and only then … e6.
To sum up, 2 Nc3 and 2 e5 present Black with no difficulties. If White wants to gain an advantage against the Scandinavian, 2 exd5 is the only move – and it's the one we'll be considering next week.
chess@guardian.co.uk
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