Understanding the Scandinavian - Sergey Kasparov.pdf

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Understanding the Scandinavian
Symbols
Sergey Kasparov
!!
!
!?
brilliant move
good move
interesting/probably good
dubious
bad move
blunder
White is winning
White is much better
White is slightly better
equal position
Black is slightly better
Black is much better
Black is winning
Championship
the game ends in a win for White
A reliable and challenging system for Black
?!
?
Contents
??
+–
Symbols
Introduction
+/–
+=
=
1: 3...Qd6 with 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3 c6 6 Ne5
=+
2: 3...Qd6: Other Lines
–/+
3: 3...Qa5
4: 3...Qd8
5: 2...Qxd5 without 3 Nc3
6: 2...Nf6
7: Rare Second Moves for White
Ch
1-0
–+
�½-�½ the game ends in a draw
0-1
the game ends in a win for Black
nth
match game
see next diagram
Conclusion
Exercises
Answers
Index of Variations
Index of Main Games
(n)
(D)
Acknowledgements
Some of the technical aspects of this work were
performed by my wife Tatiana (WIM) and the
translation from Russian to English was made by
my daughter Eva.
Introduction
I’d like to surprise you with a ‘revolutionary’
claim: the Scandinavian is an improved Caro-
Kann! To be honest, I first read this idea in my
childhood in the Russian edition of the Montreal
1979 tournament book.
1
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About the Author
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The game Karpov-Larsen (sensationally won by
Black) started with 1 e4 d5. Hort remarked: “Of
course, as you are Scandinavian!”. Larsen (who
was from Denmark) replied: “Yes, but it is just a
good version of the Caro-Kann”.
This startling assertion needs to be examined
closely. After all, the Caro-Kann is one of the
most respected and popular openings...
The pawn-structures of these two openings are
identical.
1) Panov Attack: 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4,
reaching positions similar to some lines of the
Queen’s Gambit.
2) Exchange Variation: 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5
cxd5 4 Bd3 Nc6 5 c3, a modest but reliable
system.
3) Two Knights Variation: 1 e4 c6 2 Nc3 d5 3 Nf3,
a tricky line leading to quirky positions of a very
different type from the standard Caro-Kann.
4) Advance Variation 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5.
Nowadays the positions from the classical line (1
e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5) are looking
quite reliable for Black. That’s why White’s main
search for an advantage is currently in the
Advance Variation.
Now look how much narrower White’s options
are in the Scandinavian, with the four Caro-Kann
options mentioned above in mind:
1 e4 d5
(D)
Scandinavian Defence
(main line with 3...Qd6
and 5...c6): Black has a pawn on c6 and none on
the d-file, while White has a pawn on d4 and none
on the e-file.
White to play
Obviously, lines 1 and 2 don’t apply as Black
captures on d5 with the queen instead of a pawn
(Black can also choose to meet 2 exd5 with
2...Nf6, although this isn’t
my main
recommendation in this book).
It is unpromising to continue by analogy with line
3: 2 Nc3 can be met by 2...dxe4 3 Nxe4, which is
like a ‘classical’ Caro-Kann but with more or less
an extra tempo for Black since ...c6 has little
purpose here. He can instead play, for example,
3...Nd7 (3...Nc6!?) 4 d4 Ngf6. Later on Black can
play ...c5 in one go and equalize. Let’s not forget
that the space grab by 2...d4!? looks promising too
(in the Caro-Kann version, Black is again
hampered by the fact that ...c6 is less useful than
White’s developing move Nf3).
2
Caro-Kann Defence
(classical 4...Bf5 main line):
everything is the same, but in addition the white h-
pawn is on h5 and the black one on h6 (of course,
it is possible for White to refrain from advancing
his h-pawn, in which case there are no structural
differences at all).
The basic ideas of these openings are very similar
as well. OK, but what is the basis for the
‘improved’ claim?
Firstly, those who play the Caro-Kann have many
other possible replies to deal with:
That leaves us with option 4, 2 e5, but this is far
less challenging than the Advance Caro-Kann.
Black can play 2...c5, saving a whole tempo. One
might also view this as like an Advance French
but with Black able to develop his queen’s bishop
actively outside his pawn-chain.
while you are reading this book you already have
a stronger chess engine, and when checking the
analysis, your assessments may differ. But before
rejecting one of my conclusions, be sure to work
diligently, as computers don’t necessarily
understand all types of positions perfectly.
Likewise, everyone has access to game databases.
So, if you need further information on a particular
line, it will take just a few seconds to find the
relevant material. I urge you to focus on games by
strong
players.
I see the author’s main task as follows: in the most
entertaining and comprehensible way (even for
relatively weak chess-players) to explain the
ideas
and
plans
so as to increase your chances in
tournaments and improve your general chess
understanding.
My words don’t claim to be the absolute truth.
Quite the contrary; there are no doubt errors in
these pages. Feel free to send your suggestions,
wishes, criticisms, to tkasparova@rambler.ru
So what other possible advantages might the
Scandinavian offer? From a practical viewpoint, it
has been studied in less detail than the Caro-Kann
and the other major responses to 1 e4. Not only
that, but the modern main line of the opening
(with 3...Qd6 and 5...c6) is barely covered in older
books.
For instance, here is a quotation from
Opening for
White According to Anand 1 e4 Volume 3,
published as recently as 2005: “... the variations
3...Qd6 and 3...Qd8 are not the main fare in the
Scandinavian Defence ...” Meanwhile, recent
practice shows that it is precisely 3...Qd6 which is
considered most reliable today. The authors
indirectly confirm it on page 336: “The move
5...c6 is more reliable”. Yet they consider just one
game with this move. GM Sergei Tiviakov seems
to have been the first top-level player to have
understood this truth. His main (and during recent
years almost only) weapon against 1 e4 is the
Scandinavian Defence with 3...Qd6. If at some
point I am having doubts about Black’s chances in
some line, I will check Sergei’s games, and more
often than not find an answer to my problem, or at
least a hint in the right direction.
Quotes and Differing Views
Before we move on to our detailed examination of
the Scandinavian, let’s get acquainted with the
opinions of some grandmasters about this opening,
both favourable and unfavourable. The Elo ratings
given are those at the end of 2014.
Writing Methods and Philosophy
I have sought to embrace the full range of
strategic and tactical themes in the opening we are
studying, while not overburdening your memory
with too many lengthy variations. It is a difficult
balance to strike, and please note that you
shouldn’t feel it necessary to memorize large
chunks of the analysis presented here; play
through the lines and absorb the main ideas, and
only memorize the most critical lines and those
paradoxical ideas that it would be unrealistic to
uncover at the board.
Nowadays everyone has a computer, of course.
While working on this book I used Houdini as my
primary analytical assistant. It is possible that
3
“I can’t say a lot about the Scandinavian Defence
as I haven’t played 1 e4 very much recently. I
have to teach my students, though, and it is
necessary to know something. There is not much
theory but, most likely, one needs very concrete
knowledge; otherwise White can fail to get any
advantage (if not arrive even in a inferior
position).”
Zakhartsov (2552)
“My attitude to the Scandinavian Defence is very
mixed. On the one hand, my whole chess
experience suggests that Black’s play is
provocative and must be punished; on the other
hand, it is not always clear how to do so! One of
the main benefits of the Scandinavian Defence is
that players often give preparation for this opening
a low priority, instead focusing on the Sicilian,
French, Caro-Kann, etc.
“In fact, it is quite difficult for White to get an
advantage. In many lines the positions that arise
are quite sharp, and White must be ready to
sacrifice to have much hope of an advantage.
“Another benefit is the large number of variations
at Black’s disposal, starting from the 2nd move
(2...Qxd5 and 2...Nf6), and then the choice of
squares to put his queen on move 3, and beyond
that there are lines with ...a6, ...c6 and ...g6.
“The opening is very plucky and it suits the style
of chess ‘counter-punchers’.”
Tarlev (2561)
nuanced game than this simple, if well-intentioned,
advice would have us believe.
The first question is where to put the queen.
3...Qd6 (Chapters 1 and 2) and 3...Qa5 (Chapter 3)
look reasonable, while 3...Qd8 (Chapter 4 ) is a bit
passive.
3...Qd6
(D)
“I can say that it’s a terrible and over-adventurous
opening. White has a lot of ways to get good
positions, which is why I wouldn’t recommend
playing this defence.”
T.L. Petrosian (2651)
White to play
This retreat is my main recommendation. It is a
multi-functional move. Here the queen prevents
Bf4, prepares queenside castling (since d8 is left
vacant), and binds together the central foundations
(the squares e7, e6, c6, d5, etc.). While the queen
can be attacked again by Ne4 or Nb5, these moves
may not necessarily prove useful for White.
Let’s move a little further along the main line:
4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
(D)
“The Scandinavian Defence is a very interesting
opening. Black can either play very solidly
with ...c6, which entails positions similar to lines
of the Caro-Kann, or act aggressively with ...Nc6
or ...Bg4. It allows any chess-player, regardless of
his style, to include this opening in his repertoire.”
Kovalenko (2653)
1: 3...Qd6 with 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3 c6 6 Ne5
1 e4 d5 2 exd5
This is the most natural reply and clearly the best
move. Rare lines like 2 e5?! and 2 Nc3 will be
covered in Chapter 7.
2...Qxd5 3 Nc3
This is another move that naturally comes to mind.
From our chess ‘childhood’, we have been taught
that it is a bad idea to bring out the queen in the
opening because it will come under attack from
the enemy minor pieces and will have to spend
further time retreating. However, chess is a more
4
Black to play
My main recommendation in this position is the
‘central’ strategy with 5...c6 (Chapter 1 and parts
of Chapter 2 ); it is marked by Caro-Kann motifs,
and has proved highly reliable in practice.
Kovalenko’s active idea 5...Bg4 is considered in
Chapter 2 . The older and somewhat dubious

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