How to Properly play The Scandinavian Defense
The Scandinavian is a very common opening in beginners. It starts with 1. e4 d5. White usually takes on d5 and then the queen takes on d5. Nc3 kicks the queen and the best moves is to fall back with the queen. White has a lead in development and will win.
But that's now the only way to play the Scandinavian. In comes the Portuguese variation. Random Fun Fact: There's a Portuguese opening, not a variation a whole on opening. It's just the Spanish but without the Knights:
That fun fact aside now, the Portuguese variation goes as follows:
Black is not in a rush to recapture. The opponent might play c4 to protect the pawn. c6 to create quick development.
Your opponent plays a move, doesn't matter what it is, you can safely play e5. If there is a knight on f3, push e4.
Though if your opponent plays d3 after e5. Play e4. d pawn takes on e4 take the queen. King takes back then recapture with knight. Threatening Nxf2+ forking the rook and king. The king is exposed and vulnerable.
d3 was incorrect as black now has an attack on the king. You want to castle queenside to keep the attack on the king whilst protecting your own king. On top of that you control an open file. What if they don't play d3, and play something like Nc3?
You get a lead in development still, and have a checkmate trap. Now back to the beginning. What if white doesn't accept the pawn with e5? c5 controls the center, prepares Nc6 to attack the pawn and allows fast development.
Now what if after they take on d5, and I bring my knight out with Nf3, they play d4 or Nc3. Nc3 doesn't defend the pawn so take it(with knight). d4 doesn't either but pros play it. Play Bc4 in that case.
If they block with Be2, trade. Bxe2 Nxe2. You take on d5 with the queen, attacking g2. 0-0 to protect the pawn, you play Nc6, lead in development. If Nf3, put pressure kingside with Qh5. Play 0-0-0(Queenside castling) when possible.
Some ships had barcodes on them so they could Scandinavian!
