Scandinavian or Philidor?


Scandinavian Defense is relatively 'easy' to learn compared to other defenses, and is perfectly viable, especially at the amateur level. Several GMs do venture it on occasion, even Magnus Carlsen - here vs Fabiano Caruana in 2014, 3...Qd8 variation....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13SjlmDUC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGadAjrsaY0
I recommend the 3...Qd8 variation as the safest/simplest....
Chessable courses on the Scandinavian.....all are on the 3...Qd8 variation.....
https://www.chessable.com/chess-openings/s/scandinavian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fEkJsfbQWM
a brief description of the 3...Qd8 variation....you will first have to be logged in (free) to Chessable to view this page...
https://www.chessable.com/variation/113941/
Scandinavian Defense 3...Qd8 - 'Hanging Pawns' video.....good...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_f7oAbE6q0
more on 3...Qd8 Scandi.....
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scandinavian+defense+qd8
The 3...Qd8 Scandinavian: Simple and Strong by Daniel Lowinger...
https://www.amazon.com/Qd8-Scandinavian-Simple-Strong/dp/1936490765/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+3...Qd8+Scandinavian%3A+Simple+and+Strong&qid=1582095316&s=books&sr=1-1

Don't waste time learning the Philidor. You can't use it many times as the opponent would prepare against it. And it's not easy to play with cramped position.

Caro Slav would make more sense as they haVe some overlap. But I would avoid the philidork.

I would recommend the Qa5 variation and definitely not the Qd8 variation.
What's your thoughts on Qd6?

- Chessmood openings are sharp and also secure and depends on your style you can play positional too in some setups.
- Chessmood openings are full of novelties.
- Ideas were so easily explained so even a beginner can understand what's going on and a beginner can also grasp long term opening plans.
- Yu can crush easily 2000 elo field without too much efforts.
- Chessmood presentation method is not only focused on variations in opening but it will also teach you strategy and especially power of bishop pairs.
Everyone says you're supposed to play e5 under 2000 elo, so I would go with philidor if I only had those two choices.

I believe majority favors the Scandinavian. Now...
A. 2... Nf6
B. 3... Qd6
C. 3... Qd8
D. 3... Qa5
I pick B.

I believe majority favors the Scandinavian. Now...
A. 2... Nf6
B. 3... Qd6
C. 3... Qd8
D. 3... Qa5
I pick B.
Pros and cons to each and I have tried all four. I actually did fairly well with C but it seems so hard to win with against even much weaker opponents. The move d5 by white is worrisome in D. B may well be the best choice among the four but Shirov's f4 is quite annoying to me. In the end I chose 2...Nf6 because it seems to allow more space, which fits in with my playing the Tarrasch Defense against 1 d4, and also because now and then black can get a quicker win on the club level with 2...Nf6, and besides that the book Smerdon's Scandinavian (2...Nf6) is exceptionally good. .

I would choose non because I like the Sicilian more, but if I was forced to, I was choose the Scandinavian. In the Phillidor, there is a trap white could play if you’re not careful. Plus, the Phillidor is passive, and it gives white a lot of space in the center.
Whatever you choose, don't go mad and buy a bunch of books on the openings because at best you'll be reading a small footnote on a sideline.

Fabiano Caruana-Magnus Carlsen, 2014 Chess Olympiad, Scandinavian Defense, 3...Qd8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGadAjrsaY0
Anand-Carlsen, GCT Tata Steel Blitz (2019), Scandinavian Defense, 3...Qd6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvUxJtNF5Ho