The Scandinavian Haters Group

 LOL! Nice!

haha - yes. I believe it was GM Houska who called the Scandinavian a "special case" of the Caro-Kann."

correction: GM Houska said, "Black is looking for a specific mode of development that is in essence simply a favourable version of the Caro-Kann."

Interesting! But the Scandinavian is not as popular - so I'm guessing that black does not succeed with "proper play" from white? I must admit, I am no expert in the Scandinavian.

::sniff sniff::  wait a minute...that's not the delayed Scandinavian, trickster!. What a ruse!

We have these types of discussions in the Unorthodox Openings group about what is mainstream and what is unorthodox. Can you believe, some people think the Bird is unorthodox?

I would only consider the Bird to be unorthodox if my only two choices were "mainstream" or "unorthodox". I would add the category of "non-mainstream", where is where I would put the Bird.

Offtherook-

True, but not all of them will be playing. Last I checked, there were only eight of their number involved in the game.

Atos-

If you feel something needs to be done, do it.

Wormrose-

I don't recall anyone ever saying the Scandinavian was a stupid opening... Like offtherook said, it's just the sort of game I think it leads to.

Everybody else-

I refuse to participate in the discussion of mainstream vs. unorthodox openings, due to limited experience and knowledge in the game of chess and also due to my still wet-behind-the-ears age of thirteen. Feel free to discuss it to your heart's content, but I will stay out of that. (Though considering the widespread knowledge of the King's Gambit, offtherook, I would think that would pretty mainstream...) Anyway! Have fun, be nice and... stay away from the Scandinavian.

-Leo

Yep, but I'll fight hard nonetheless.

Offtherook-

Here's the link that shows our opponents, their players, and the number of moves they've made: http://www.chess.com/groups/votechess/the-scandinavian-opening-haters

-Leo

you dont see the opponents players names in vote games just their number and avg rating. after the game you can check the archives

This was fun. I never thought I would understand so much of a chess discussion posting. I am now slightly worried ;) I played Scandinavian a few times and lost almost every time and I win almost every time against it but then I am just an average player. Let me see how far I get with the Ivanchuk vs Perez game and see if it is worth trying that opening again!

Thanks, Vuduchile.

Offtherook-

Hahahahaha, nice. But, unbalanced contest or no, we committed, so there's no turning back now. 

-Leo

Should I join? Is there still time before the game?

Afafbouardi-

We'd love you to join, of course! And in vote chess games, you can join at any time. Though, the first move (our team is playing white of course) hasn't even been made. The game has been set to the starting position of 1. e4 d5. Please join, if you feel so inclined. Here's the link to the game: http://www.chess.com/votechess/game.html?id=14943

-Leo

How do I join the team?

AfafBouardi-

Well, this is a strictly group vs. group game, so first (assuming you're playing on our side), you have to join The Scandinavian Opening Haters and then follow that link. You should then be able to follow that link I gave you and click on the game to join (I think) or search for "The Clash" in All Vote Chess under Groups.

Thanks!

-Leo

Speaking for the 1.e4 d5 Scandinavian team, I just want to say that despite the imbalance in members and ratings, this game is all for fun and I hope it will be fun for all. Good luck and I hope the haters give us a tough game.

Wormrose-

Thanks, I appreciate that. And I hope we give you more than a tough game...

-Leo

If you "hate" the Scandinavian, what do you think of the Nimzo-scan ? Since all openings seems to be named; but as yet i cannot find the 'real-name' i call this opening the Nimzo-Scan. 1. d4, c5; 2.dxc, Qa5+; 3..., Qxc5; 4..., Qc7; 5..., Nc6. This means Black totally risks development time by 'blundering' around with the Queen. I just like it since i forces a player to think for themselves and many lower rated players like myself fall into the 'trap' of 'pawn chasing' the Queen. Thus if i spend 1 or 2 moves i can "weaken" Whites pawn structure and still get safely home and catch up in development. If anyone knows the 'real name' of the Nimzo-Scan above please let me know, but [when used with the Scandinavian] best of all the Nimzo-Scan now makes a complete Black winning opening ;)