Why in the Scandinavian with Qa5 is it more recommended to play c6 instead of c5?
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I can see a few things that might cause difficulties for Black with c5. In addition to preventing Bb5, c6 keeps the knight out of b5 and d5 and allows the queen to defend the e5 square. c5 may be playable, just harder to find the right moves after that.
Jun 15, 2025
0
#4
I'd agree with #3 and maybe add that 4..., c5 doesn't prevent White from playing 5. d4. In the resulting position, White has better development in an open position and the potential use of the d5 square for a Knight (after Bd2 or O-O of course) to hassle Black's Queen and the c7 square. 4..., c6 is intended to give the Qa5 a bolt hole and to guard d5 and to prevent the position from becoming "too open" whilst Black still lags in development. I don't see an instant win for White after 4..., c5; 5. d4 but it's the sort of position a player such as Morphy would have relished for White (the Morphy - Anderssen match is a good place to look for games showing how White can prosper in the Sacndinavian with a completely open centre and a development advantage).
Black can castle without redeveloping the queen and a5 is the most out of the way square. The only 3 options seriously played are Qa5, Qd8 and Qd6. Qd6 is a little more awkward to redirect the Queen in a crowded board. Black would like to get the light square bishop to f5 or g4 before playing e6 for the kingside bishop to develop. Knights to go to f6 and d7. If white castles kingside Qc7 and Bd6 is a nice battery, else the queen is still developed nicely on c7 if attacked. Black gets a choice of casteling options without losing another queen tempo. White may attack the queen but Bd2 isnt that active a square and c6 prevents Nd5 or Nb5 follow up to attack Qc6 as well, so white is also losing tempi with the move.
The most important thing to know about Qa5 is the trap lines such as b4. Els it is the best line to play and is the mainline for that reason.
GMegasDoux wrote:
Black can castle without redeveloping the queen and a5 is the most out of the way square. The only 3 options seriously played are Qa5, Qd8 and Qd6. Qd6 is a little more awkward to redirect the Queen in a crowded board. Black would like to get the light square bishop to f5 or g4 before playing e6 for the kingside bishop to develop. Knights to go to f6 and d7. If white castles kingside Qc7 and Bd6 is a nice battery, else the queen is still developed nicely on c7 if attacked. Black gets a choice of casteling options without losing another queen tempo. White may attack the queen but Bd2 isnt that active a square and c6 prevents Nd5 or Nb5 follow up to attack Qc6 as well, so white is also losing tempi with the move.
Well said. And the sound of experience.
One thing that I would add is, in some variations of the Qa5 Scandinavian the black queen wants and needs to go to the h5 square. By playing an early c5, her access is blocked as well as any influence that she may have on the square.
Jun 16, 2025
0
#8
I play 4. …Nf6 in the given position. That doesn’t answer your question, but it’s the most common move.
The main issue with 4...c5 is that it allows White to open the game very early on after 5.d4, and this is something that Black certainly does not want to do for as long as he is lacking in development.
Jun 16, 2025
0
#10
AtaChess68 wrote:
I play 4. …Nf6 in the given position. That doesn’t answer your question, but it’s the most common move.
I just showed black playing c6 immediately just to make it simple. Nf6 is definitely better in that position instead of immediately doing c6 when no pieces are attacking.
I always play c6 not c5 as black. So not sure where that came from. c6 and e6, with no other pawn moves for black is a carro-kann pawn structure that works well in the Scandi. I don't actually have many games in the Scandi, but learning to play it helped me to learn how to play against it. My best opening against 1.e4 is the c5 but I dont mind Scandi as a back up or a French. I like the somewhat asymetrical positions. I am terrible at 1.e5 openings for black.
Jun 16, 2025
0
#12
MaestroDelAjedrez2025 wrote:
The Scandinavian Defense isn't the best way to respond to 1.e4 , that's for sure
It's a line.
planedoorfelloff12 wrote:
Title but also wanna add that what is the main difference as an escape square (i didn't have
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Bd2 e6 8.Ne4 [8.Nd5] Line
Looks like most who commented don't play the Center Counter Defense.
If we disregard the "trick plays" like the ICBM, The Tennsion Gambit and the BDG ... (above a certain ELO IMO they don't work) there is two schools of thought by White on how to deal with the Center Counter Defense...
What I would call the "Old Guard" main lines
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Bd2 e6 8.Ne4 [ or 8.Nd5]
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Bd2 e6 8.Qe2 Bb4
In both cases ...c6 by Black is.... in addition to giving an escape square to the Queen, ...c6 is used to control the White squares in the center.
Playing ...c5 in one go in these main lines, Black's grip on the white squares suffers.
"New Guard" Main lines... (In the last decade... IMO ... White has got no where in the Old Guard lines, so the demi-gods of chess have turned to other moves... like 3.Nf3!? (Being one of a few interesting ideas)
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3!? Nf6 [3...Bg4] 4.d4 Bg4 5.Be2 e6 6.h3 Bh5 7.c4 Qd8 8.0-0 Be7.
Here I hold back the c pawn and look to play it to c5 in one go (attacking the center and freeing my position) it's more offensive than .playing ..c6 (I should mention... Both of these lines take on a QGD flare with pawn to c5 in one go.... being more active over the other. (...c6 is still very playable)
In short... the c pawn plays a vital role in the Mieses var 3...Qa5 Center Counter Defense
Title but also wanna add that what is the main difference as an escape square (i didn't have enough space to put this in)