The Leonhardt Gambit against the Scandinavian

Hi!

Here is a quick tutorial on one of my favourite blitz weapons against the Scandinavian, it is a fun gambit that gives you a lot of activity. 

We are attacking the queen, and giving up our pawn. But what we get a lot of activity off of the queen, and get a half-open file when the queen takes b4.

Black probably has no idea what this is, which is good for us. Also, I have won many bullet games where black has premoved c6 or Nf6, and you can just take the queen. 

Most people will take the pawn, and we have a choice between Nb5 and Rb1. I prefer Nb5 but Rb1 also makes sense 

We are attacking c7, and black will most likely play Qa5 defending it. 

We play Bc4, most black players will play c6 and they are already lost 

If black doesn't play c6 and lose the game, we develop normally and we try to take over the initiative and storm black with our pieces. Here is a game I played 

Instead of Qa5 early on, black could also play Na6.

Now, we just develop quickly and we try to take advantage of the misplaced black queen, the somewhat misplaced black knight, our half open b and e files and our easy development. I dont have a model game for na6 but if I get one, I will share it.

Instead of Na6, Qc5 is also possible. To that, we play d4 and we play in typical leonhardt fashion.

the game could continue like that. I like our chances even though we are down a pawn, because I think we have more than enough compensation for the pawn. We usually get very successful middlegames, usually with great attacks. 

Also this opening works much better in blitz and bullet btw, I would play it less in classical.

So thats it! Just ask if you have any questions

Nice. I've seen white's 4.b4 move before but I just forgot it and now you remind me again. Thank you. But now we should do something about that 5...Na6 continuation cause I don't want to just stuck when my opponent plays that.
Cheers

ok, I will try to find a model game and share it with you. But in general just try to develop naturally as in the other variations, the principles are basically the same. Try to take and keep the initiative Running 

Ok. Whenever someone start scandinavian with me now and return their queen to a5 square I will definitely play 4.b4 for initiative play. And I will play it in blitz game on 3 or 5min games. Thank You friend.

Nice!

seems like a good blitz/bullet line

no problem! I might update it with a revised version after a bit

thx! yea it brought me some nice bullet and blitz wins

Great! This was actually really helpful. Thanks!!

i have a game daily game that someone JUST played the scandinavian, and so i am looking forward to trying it!!!

i couldn't do it! they didn't play the right move. they did Qd8 instead of Qa5

And instead 6. ... c6 or 6. ... Na6 they simply go with a 6. .... Nc6. I lost but I have a great fun

look at this game! https://www.chess.com/game/live/64098916023 

wow, gg!

i almost beat a 1700 rated player who was in my club, but i blundered.

aw

Hey guys I played wonderful game on 5blitz tournament crashing my oponent with this beautiful Leonhardt Gambit thanks to you @ItsMeMax look at the game that I won!

Congrats!