Scandinavian 2. exd5

Ok, here are the variations we have been waiting for!

After:

1. e4     d5

2.exd5

There are 2 options for black:

2... Qxd5

This is the most obvious reply, and the most common as well. It is the main line because of its popularity and because it was played in the 1475 game with the Scandinavian. White generally follows with:

3. Nc3.

Then Black must decide where to retreat the queen. 3... Qa5 is the most popular and logical, because it controls the center, does not get in the way of other black pieces, and is hard to attack from her a5 post. This is what I would play.

3... Qd6:

This is called the Bronstein or Pytel variation, which is very popular nowadays, and there are several books on the market now. I have not done much reading on it, and stick with Qa5, but for the sake of the group I will dive a little deeper into it.

3... Qd8

This was played in 1475, and is now considred rather dubious because it basically reverses the development that Black has already done. This is not a good variation.

3... Qe6+

This is called the Patzer variation, is also not very wise, as it blocks the e pawn, forcing the Queen to move again.

3... Qe5+

This, followed by Qg5, was used by David Norwood against Garry Kasparov. Kasparov quickly won, as the plan is rather dubious.

3... Qc6??

Loses to 4.Bb5 pinning and winning the queen, but, sadly, some people will play this against you! But now you know, do not make this move!

 Conclusion:

Qa5 and Qd6 are the best Queen retreats, and you should do some more research on each to decide which you prefer, but I reccommend Qa5.

In my next post in this topic, we will discuss 2... Nf6, which is very popular, and also discuss several minor options for Black.

You can make an argument for both.

Qa5:

It controls the center, impedes with white's development to some extent, and does not interfere with Black's. Also, at a5 it can not really be attacked.

Qd6:

d6 is a slightly more centralized spot than a5, and one of it's strongpoints (looking at it without knowing much about it), is that it controls more space in enemy territory and is on a slightly better and half open d- file.

I am in favor of Qa5, but several books are out there about how "Dynamic" Qd6 is. We should do some more research and post what we come up with. Off to Wikipedia and chessgames.com I go!

Ok, I am back, here is what I came up with:

Wikipedia:

Qe5+!?, the "Patzer Variation", is rare, but has been getting some attention recently.

Qd6:

Is the Bronstein or Pytel variation, among other names. Is has gained in popularity in the late 1990's and early 2000's, and is used by GM's Tiviakov and Korajica.

From chessgames.com:

Qa5: 1,505 games  

White: 46.2%

Black: 24.5%

Qd6: 494 games

White: 39.1%

Black: 25.9%

Qd8: 217 games

White: 47%

Black: 21.5%

Qe5+: 18 games

White: 72.2%

Black: 16.7%

Qe6+: 4 games

White: 75%

Black: 25%

Qc5: 1 game (Against 2 computers)

1-0.

Hope this information helps.

Ok. Here is the other main move:

After 2. exd5, black does not need to play Qxd5. Instead the Marshall Gambit: 2... Nf6, is my choice. Here are the main variations:

3. d4

This is sensible, and thought to be the most solid choice for White, as Black will gain some more activity if White plays to hold the pawn, although as we see, playing to keep the pawn is playable.

We will go deeper into these variations a little later, this is just an introduction.

3. c4

This is the other main move, and also playable. Black has 2 options:

3... c6

This is definately sound, and White normally declines:

4.d4   cxd5

Transposes into the Panov attack of the Caro Kann defense.

Black gains a good game if:

4.dxc6?!   Nxc6.

3... e6

This is the little explored Icelandic Gambit, which we will devote an entire forum topic too a little later. I often play this, and have had great success. We will analyse and talk about it soon. The idea is to give up the pawn for speedy development, kind of like the Evans Gambit!

3. Nc3

Sensible. White gives back the pawn to achieve good development.

I will supply a list of all chessgames.com moves, like I did for 2... Qxd5.

Next, a topic on uncommon 2nd moves, other than Qxd5 or Nf6.