For computer suggested moves,if your opponent does not take knight by his queen,then probably mate will come sooner!f6 pawn will be there for you to take and put his king in check.
Easy to see why it is not good to take by knight.
If knight takes knight then 19.Ne6+ Nxe6 20.Qxf6+Kg8 21.Qf7 #.
For bishop though it is not so straightforward- you will still be in better position 19.Ne6+ Bxe6 20.Qxf6 Kg8 21.Bh6 Qc7 22.dxe6
I've been in a Scandinavian Defense tournament and getting my butt kicked in game after game. I've been trying to have fun and not worry too much about this. Most of the people I'm playing seem to be rated at least 500 points higher than me anyway.
Learning experience, right?
Anyways, as white, when faced with the Scandinavian, I prefer to respond with the queen's pawn and play the Blackmer-Diemer Gambit.
I share a recent game that I actually won.
I remember reading an article recently where it said something like if playing a master, don't play very defensively and try to eke out a draw but attack and have fun.
My plan, to use a boxing metaphor, was to throw some uppercuts and go for the early knockout. And if that doesn't work, well, odds were I was going to lose anyway.
I've looked at the computer analysis and there were quite a few mistakes and blunders on both sides - but I did have fun!
Here's the game.
Again, I truly appreciate any comments you wish to share. Especially in regards to the mate in 9 that I missed.