Scandinavian: 2. ...Qxd5 or 2. ... Nf6

Hey man, you're being a bit assumptive there.

I've actually been playing the Scandinavian for 2/3 years now, initially with Qxd4, then with Nf6 and the Icelandic Gambit, now mainly with Qxd4 because of its solidity and options in the endgame.

I'm interested in asking other Scandinavian players their thoughts on it, and e4 players who play against it how they feel when black commits to one. If you don't want to say your thoughts that's fine, just don't copy and paste a generic statement that I could easily read in one of my books.

I like playing 3.Bb5+ after 2...Nf6, and 3.Nc3 after 2...Qxd5, but it's just personal preference, I guess.

As white, 2...Nf6 is very easy to play, while Qxd5 is more complicated.

When i see 2...Nf6 on the board, it is like "thank u"!

But 2...Qxd5 doesnt define the game, as u can follow with Qa5, Qd6, Qd8 which lead to different positions and styles of play.

I’m someone who made the Qa5 Scandinavian my main weapon, and I have grown weary of it.  It’s entirely possible I just don’t understand it well enough, but I frequently get positions where White wastes time playing a3 and h3, makes innocuous developing moves like Be2 and 0-0, and yet Black has no way to take over the game.  Imagine if White tried the same in the Najdorf or the Modern: Black not only gets his equality, he starts carrying the initiative.  I’ve rarely carried the play with the Scandinavian.

It also needs to be mentioned that the mainline Qa5 variations are no easier.  White can play with Bc4, Bd2 and an early Nd5, or he can try Nf3-Ne5 and g4, starting the pawn storm, or the dangerous Qe2 and 0-0-0, and then my favourite sideline, playing Ne2, waiting for Black to play Bf5, and then hitting out with Ng3 and f4-f5 to come.  In return for all this, Black’s main plan is … get a solid position and try to equalize?

I’ve also found that my White results have improved, at least in blitz, against the Qxd5 Scandinavians.  I know the above lines, I know what I don’t like facing as Black, and the results have improved noticeably.  I’m not saying the Qxd5 lines are refuted, but Black pays a heavy price in letting his Queen come out early: White has a wide variety of options, and White’s play is invariably easier than Black’s.  I will eventually switch to a different opening as my main weapon, though I know not what yet.

i think Qa5 and Qd8 are very similar 

I've had better results with 3...Qd8 than I have had with 3...Qd6, 3...Qa5, 2...Nf6. But that is probably due to my style.

365chess database indicates 3...Qd6 (46%) and 2...Nf6 (46%) score the best for black, 3...Qa5 scores 44%, 3...Qd8 scores 41%.  After 2...Qxd5 white does better with 3 Nf3 than 3 Nc3, Black scores 41% after 3 Nf3.

If you prefer more chances for active play then get Smerdon's Scandinavian book, it is hands down the bible on 2...Nf6. 

wow had no idea Nf6 scores so much cool

The book Smerdon's Scandinavian plays the Portuguese. 

In my opinion, Qa5 is preferable. Known for the sharp options for white. Look at the game played by Emanuel Lasker in a simul:

. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. b4 Qxb4 5. Rb1 Qd4 6. Nf3 Qd8 7. Ba3 g6 8.
Bc4 Bg7 9. Ne4 c6 10. Qe2 Kf8 11. Bxf7 Kxf7 12. Rxb7 Bxb7 13. Nfg5+ Ke8 14.
Nd6+ Qxd6 15. Bxd6 1-0

The engine recomended line is:

Also I think it's the best choice for black.

You can also catch your opponent off guard by playing the Blackburne gambit wich is more sharp:

Black has more development and the bishop pair in exchange for white's extra pawn and better structure

Blackburne gambit?

I didn't know that had a name.

I always assumed it was some noob trying to play the Danish gambit with colors reversed

You can even get more tricky with the Kloosterboer Gambit! 

about 2...Nf6 i would just play d4 and then i get a postion similar to the exchange alekhine more space for white at low risk, never hang to the pawn of course

2-qxd5 and then it depends on the opponent if you play higher rated i would go with Qd8 lower rated with Qa5 look at john bartholomews games he plays both

Don´t play the Scandinavian at all, that is mi advice

maybe he watched ginger gms video on how to "crush" the scandinavian  without even mentioning a6 in the Bc4 lines simons so funny sometimes!

GM Smerdon's book on the Scandinavian is what rekindled my passion for chess a few years ago, and for the first time made me want to actually study the game. I enjoy his views on of practical chances vs. engine objectivity, and his results-based "part time grandmaster" approach. So it should be obvious what my recommendation is.

(Hint: it starts with "P"...)

(and ends with "ortugese")