Chess: Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part I
1 e4 d5 Line
What's the game plan for White?
* Control the center, starting with 3 Nc3
and 4 d4.
* Attain the e5 outpost by Ng1-f3-e5 and
consolidate it according to the dictates
of the position. Some common buttress-
ing maneuvers are: f2-f4, Bc1-f4, Rf1-e1,
and Qd1-e2.
* Use the outpost to seek attacking
opportunities against Black's kingside/
queenside.
* Aim for a timely d5 central break.
This advance gains space in the center
and encroaches on Black's position.
What's the game plan for Black?
* Lessen White's central preponderance by
pinning the c3 and f3 knights with the Queen
and c8 bishop respectively. Once they are
nailed down to those squares, the knights
can no longer influence central affairs.
* Utilize the c8 bishop not only to
pressurize the d1-h5 diagonal but also to
contend for the b1-h7 and h1-a8 diagonals.
* Strengthen d5 through ... c7-c6
and ... e7-e6 so as to cushion it against
White's prospective d5 break. In some lines,
Nf6-d5 is used to hold White up in the center.
* Challenge White's occupation of e5.
Usually, Nbd7 initiates pressure against the
outpost. The Queen then weighs in on the
matter from a5 or c7, aided by ... Bd6.
* Use the half open d-file to gain
central play. In some variations, Black
castles long and subsequently uses the
d8 rook to bear down on this file.
Also available:
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part II
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center-counter.html
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part III
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center-counter_05.html
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part IV
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center_115210997262388378.html
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part V
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center_115211261703678156.html
1 e4
1 ... d5
Black instantaneously questions White's control of d5.
2 exd5
Temporarily ceding the square to the Black Queen
following:
2 ... Qxd5
Now, she has to find a safer spot, and lose a tempo in
the process, after White responds with:
3 Nc3
3 Nf3
3 d4
3 Qf3
3 c4
3 ... Qa5
From this vantage point, the Queen can pin the
c3 knight after a prospective d4 by White.
Additionally, she gets a sweeping view of the
fifth rank.
Other alternatives are:
(A) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3
3 ... Qd8
Back to square one. From here the Queen maintains
her influence over the half open d-file.
4 d4
The c1-bishop gets the c1-h6 diagonal for development,
and c5 and e5 are covered.
4 Ne4
4 Bc4
4 Nf3
4 ... Nf6
Mobilization towards the center; Black wants in on
e4 and d5. Also, the knight enables the c8 bishop
to develop to g4.
4 ... g6
4 ... c6
5 Bc4!
Aiming at Black's weakest point, f7.
5 Nf3
5 Bg5
5 ... Bg4
Attacking the enemy Queen.
5 ... c6
5 ... Nbd7
5 ... Bf5
5 ... a6
6 Nge2
6 f3
6 ... e6
Keeping a tab on d5 and f5 plus letting out the
f8 bishop. Observe how this move limits the c4
bishop's scope along the a2-g8 diagonal.
7 Bg5
Development with intent to pin the knight and
neutralize its e4 and d5 influence.
7 ... Be7
Black prudently breaks the pin before it burdens
his play.
8 Qd2
White too breaks the pin on e2 and prepares
for queenside castling.
8 ... Nbd7
9 f3
9 ... Bf5
10 g4
10 ... Bg6
11 h4
11 ... h6
12 Bf4
And White's position looks more desirable.
(B) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3
3 ... Qd6
Black's Queen insists on preserving a strong central
presence.
4 d4
4 Nf3
4 g3
4 Bc4
4 ... Nf6
4 ... a6
4 ... c6
5 Nf3
5 Bc4
5 Bg5
5 Bd3
5 Bb5+
5 g3
5 Be3
5 Be2
5 ... Bg4
5 ... a6
5 ... c6
6 Be2
6 ... c6
6 ... e6
6 ... a6
6 ... Nbd7
7 h3
7 O-O
7 Ne5
7 Be3
7 ... Bxf3
7 ... Bf5
7 ... Bh5
8 Bxf3
8 ... e6
8 ... Nbd7
8 ... Na6
9 O-O
9 Ne2
9 Be3
9 ... Nbd7
9 ... Be7
9 ... h6
10 Re1
10 Ne2
10 Qd3
10 ... O-O-O
10 ... Be7
10 ... h6
11 Be3
11 a4
11 a3
11 Qd3
11 ... Qc7
11 ... Be7
11 ... Kb8
11 ... Nb6
11 ... h6
11 ... h5
12 Qe2
12 Ne4
12 Qd2
Back to 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5
4 d4
c5 and e5 are covered, plus the c1 bishop can now
jump into the game along c1-h6.
4 Nf3
4 g3
4 Bc4
4 Be2
4 h3
4 Nge2
4 b4
4 f4
4 ... Nf6
Challenging White for the d5 and e4 squares
and facilitating the c8 bishop's development
to g4. Not 4 ... e5 5 Nf3 [5 dxe5 Bb4 6 Bd2
Nc6 7 a3] 5 ... Bg4 6 h3 exd4 7 Qxd4!
5 ... Bb4 also works in White's favor by
affording him superior development: 5 ... Bb4
6 Bd2 Bg4 7 Be2 exd4 [7 ... Nc6 8 a3!] 8 Nxd4
8 ... Qe5 9 Ncb5! Bxe2 10 Qxe2 Bxd2+ 11 Kxd2
11 ... Qxe2+ Kxe2.
4 ... c6
4 ... g6
4 ... Bf5
4 ... a6
4 ... Nd7
4 ... Nc6
5 Nf3
The knight reinforces d4, but more importantly,
it gets one step closer to the e5 outpost.
5 Bc4
5 Bd2
5 g3
5 Be3
5 Bd3
5 Be2
5 ... Bg4
Thwarting the knight's central ambitions.
Black could also try:
(A) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
5 ... Nc6
5 ... e6
6 Bb5
6 d5
6 h3
6 Bd2
6 ... Bd7
6 ... Ne4
6 ... Nd5
7 d5
7 O-O
7 Bd2
7 ... Nb4
7 ... Ne5
7 ... Nb8
8 Bxd7+
8 Bc4
8 Be2
8 ... Nxd7
9 O-O
9 a3
9 Be3
9 ... Nf6
9 ... Rd8
9 ... Nb6
10 Qe2
10 Bg5
10 Be3
10 ... Nbxd5
10 ... Nfxd5
10 ... Rd8
11 Nxd5
11 Ne4
11 Bd2
11 ... Nxd5
11 ... Qxd5
12 c4
12 Rd1
12 Ne5
12 ... Nf6
12 ... Nb6
12 ... Nb4
13 Ne5
13 Bf4
13 Bg5
13 ... e6
13 ... Rd8
13 ... Qa6
14 Bg5
14 a3
14 Bf4
14 ... Be7
14 ... Bd6
14 ... Bb4
(B) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
5 ... c6
6 Bc4
6 Ne5
6 Bd2
6 Bd3
6 Be2
6 h3
6 ... Bg4
6 ... Bf5
7 h3
7 Bd2
7 Qd3
7 O-O
7 ... Bh5
7 ... Bxf3
8 g4
8 Qe2
8 Bd2
8 ... Bg6
9 Ne5
9 Bd2
9 ... e6
9 ... Nbd7
10 Nxg6
10 Bd2
10 Qe2
10 ... hxg6
11 Bd2
11 ... Bb4
11 ... Qb6
11 ... Qd8
11 ... Nbd7
12 a3
12 Qe2
12 f4
12 ... Bxc3
12 ... Bf8
12 ... Bd6
13 Bxc3
13 bxc3
13 ... Qb6
13 ... Qc7
13 ... Qg5
14 Qf3
14 f4
14 h4
14 ... Nd5
14 ... Nbd7
14 ... g5
15 O-O-O
15 h4
15 Be2
15 ... Nxc3
15 ... Nd7
15 ... g5
16 Qxc3
16 bxc3
16 ... Nd7
16 ... Na6
(C) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
5 ... Bf5
6 Bc4
6 Ne5
6 Bd2
6 Bd3
6 ... c6
6 ... Nbd7
6 ... e6
7 Bd2!
7 Ne5
7 Qe2
7 O-O
7 ... e6
7 ... Nbd7
7 ... Qb6
7 ... Qc7
8 Qe2
8 Nd5
8 Ne4
8 Ne5
8 Nh4
8 d5
8 Be2
8 ... Bb4
9 ... Nbd7
9 ... Bxc2
9 ... Qb6
9 ... Qc7
9 Ne5
9 O-O-O
9 a3
9 O-O
9 Bb3
9 ... Nbd7
10 Nxd7
10 a3
10 O-O-O
10 O-O
10 ... Nxd7
10 ... Kxd7
11 a3
11 ... Bxc3
12 Bxc3
12 ... Qc7
13 d5
13 ... cxd5
14 Bxd5
14 ... O-O
15 Bf3
Back to 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6
5 Nf3 Bg4
6 h3
White decides to break the pin before it gets too
cumbersome.
6 Bd2
6 Bb5+
6 Be2
6 ... Bh5
Not commendable is 6 ... Bxf3 due to 7 Qxf3 c6
8 Bd2 Nbd7 9 0-0-0 e6 10 Bc4.
6 ... Bf5
7 g4
7 Bd2
7 ... Bg6
8 Ne5
And it's in the bag!
8 b4
8 ... e6
Giving Black a say in the d5 and f5 squares and
opening up a pathway for the f8 bishop.
8 ... c6
8 ... Nbd7
8 ... Ne4
8 ... Nfd7
9 Bg2
The b7 pawn is under fire.
9 h4
9 Nc4
9 Bd2
9 ... c6
9 ... Be4
9 ... Qb6
9 ... Qa6
10 h4
10 O-O
10 Qe2
10 Qd2
10 Nxg6
10 ... Be4
10 ... Nbd7
10 ... Bb4
11 Bxe4
11 f3
11 Nc4
11 ... Nxe4
12 Qf3
12 Bd2
12 Nc4
12 ... Nd6
13 Bd2
13 Bf4
13 Bg5
13 O-O
13 ... f6
13 ... Qb6
13 ... Nd7
14 Nd3
14 Ne2
14 Ne4
14 ... Nd7
14 ... Na6
15 Qe2
15 h5
15 O-O-O
15 b4
15 Ne4
15 ... O-O-O
15 ... e5
16 f4
16 O-O-O
16 h5
16 f3
16 ... h5
16 ... Re8
16 ... f5
17 O-O-O
17 Rg1
17 a3
By ChessCoach@care2.com
What's the game plan for White?
* Control the center, starting with 3 Nc3
and 4 d4.
* Attain the e5 outpost by Ng1-f3-e5 and
consolidate it according to the dictates
of the position. Some common buttress-
ing maneuvers are: f2-f4, Bc1-f4, Rf1-e1,
and Qd1-e2.
* Use the outpost to seek attacking
opportunities against Black's kingside/
queenside.
* Aim for a timely d5 central break.
This advance gains space in the center
and encroaches on Black's position.
What's the game plan for Black?
* Lessen White's central preponderance by
pinning the c3 and f3 knights with the Queen
and c8 bishop respectively. Once they are
nailed down to those squares, the knights
can no longer influence central affairs.
* Utilize the c8 bishop not only to
pressurize the d1-h5 diagonal but also to
contend for the b1-h7 and h1-a8 diagonals.
* Strengthen d5 through ... c7-c6
and ... e7-e6 so as to cushion it against
White's prospective d5 break. In some lines,
Nf6-d5 is used to hold White up in the center.
* Challenge White's occupation of e5.
Usually, Nbd7 initiates pressure against the
outpost. The Queen then weighs in on the
matter from a5 or c7, aided by ... Bd6.
* Use the half open d-file to gain
central play. In some variations, Black
castles long and subsequently uses the
d8 rook to bear down on this file.
Also available:
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part II
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center-counter.html
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part III
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center-counter_05.html
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part IV
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center_115210997262388378.html
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part V
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center_115211261703678156.html
1 e4
1 ... d5
Black instantaneously questions White's control of d5.
2 exd5
Temporarily ceding the square to the Black Queen
following:
2 ... Qxd5
Now, she has to find a safer spot, and lose a tempo in
the process, after White responds with:
3 Nc3
3 Nf3
3 d4
3 Qf3
3 c4
3 ... Qa5
From this vantage point, the Queen can pin the
c3 knight after a prospective d4 by White.
Additionally, she gets a sweeping view of the
fifth rank.
Other alternatives are:
(A) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3
3 ... Qd8
Back to square one. From here the Queen maintains
her influence over the half open d-file.
4 d4
The c1-bishop gets the c1-h6 diagonal for development,
and c5 and e5 are covered.
4 Ne4
4 Bc4
4 Nf3
4 ... Nf6
Mobilization towards the center; Black wants in on
e4 and d5. Also, the knight enables the c8 bishop
to develop to g4.
4 ... g6
4 ... c6
5 Bc4!
Aiming at Black's weakest point, f7.
5 Nf3
5 Bg5
5 ... Bg4
Attacking the enemy Queen.
5 ... c6
5 ... Nbd7
5 ... Bf5
5 ... a6
6 Nge2
6 f3
6 ... e6
Keeping a tab on d5 and f5 plus letting out the
f8 bishop. Observe how this move limits the c4
bishop's scope along the a2-g8 diagonal.
7 Bg5
Development with intent to pin the knight and
neutralize its e4 and d5 influence.
7 ... Be7
Black prudently breaks the pin before it burdens
his play.
8 Qd2
White too breaks the pin on e2 and prepares
for queenside castling.
8 ... Nbd7
9 f3
9 ... Bf5
10 g4
10 ... Bg6
11 h4
11 ... h6
12 Bf4
And White's position looks more desirable.
(B) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3
3 ... Qd6
Black's Queen insists on preserving a strong central
presence.
4 d4
4 Nf3
4 g3
4 Bc4
4 ... Nf6
4 ... a6
4 ... c6
5 Nf3
5 Bc4
5 Bg5
5 Bd3
5 Bb5+
5 g3
5 Be3
5 Be2
5 ... Bg4
5 ... a6
5 ... c6
6 Be2
6 ... c6
6 ... e6
6 ... a6
6 ... Nbd7
7 h3
7 O-O
7 Ne5
7 Be3
7 ... Bxf3
7 ... Bf5
7 ... Bh5
8 Bxf3
8 ... e6
8 ... Nbd7
8 ... Na6
9 O-O
9 Ne2
9 Be3
9 ... Nbd7
9 ... Be7
9 ... h6
10 Re1
10 Ne2
10 Qd3
10 ... O-O-O
10 ... Be7
10 ... h6
11 Be3
11 a4
11 a3
11 Qd3
11 ... Qc7
11 ... Be7
11 ... Kb8
11 ... Nb6
11 ... h6
11 ... h5
12 Qe2
12 Ne4
12 Qd2
Back to 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5
4 d4
c5 and e5 are covered, plus the c1 bishop can now
jump into the game along c1-h6.
4 Nf3
4 g3
4 Bc4
4 Be2
4 h3
4 Nge2
4 b4
4 f4
4 ... Nf6
Challenging White for the d5 and e4 squares
and facilitating the c8 bishop's development
to g4. Not 4 ... e5 5 Nf3 [5 dxe5 Bb4 6 Bd2
Nc6 7 a3] 5 ... Bg4 6 h3 exd4 7 Qxd4!
5 ... Bb4 also works in White's favor by
affording him superior development: 5 ... Bb4
6 Bd2 Bg4 7 Be2 exd4 [7 ... Nc6 8 a3!] 8 Nxd4
8 ... Qe5 9 Ncb5! Bxe2 10 Qxe2 Bxd2+ 11 Kxd2
11 ... Qxe2+ Kxe2.
4 ... c6
4 ... g6
4 ... Bf5
4 ... a6
4 ... Nd7
4 ... Nc6
5 Nf3
The knight reinforces d4, but more importantly,
it gets one step closer to the e5 outpost.
5 Bc4
5 Bd2
5 g3
5 Be3
5 Bd3
5 Be2
5 ... Bg4
Thwarting the knight's central ambitions.
Black could also try:
(A) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
5 ... Nc6
5 ... e6
6 Bb5
6 d5
6 h3
6 Bd2
6 ... Bd7
6 ... Ne4
6 ... Nd5
7 d5
7 O-O
7 Bd2
7 ... Nb4
7 ... Ne5
7 ... Nb8
8 Bxd7+
8 Bc4
8 Be2
8 ... Nxd7
9 O-O
9 a3
9 Be3
9 ... Nf6
9 ... Rd8
9 ... Nb6
10 Qe2
10 Bg5
10 Be3
10 ... Nbxd5
10 ... Nfxd5
10 ... Rd8
11 Nxd5
11 Ne4
11 Bd2
11 ... Nxd5
11 ... Qxd5
12 c4
12 Rd1
12 Ne5
12 ... Nf6
12 ... Nb6
12 ... Nb4
13 Ne5
13 Bf4
13 Bg5
13 ... e6
13 ... Rd8
13 ... Qa6
14 Bg5
14 a3
14 Bf4
14 ... Be7
14 ... Bd6
14 ... Bb4
(B) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
5 ... c6
6 Bc4
6 Ne5
6 Bd2
6 Bd3
6 Be2
6 h3
6 ... Bg4
6 ... Bf5
7 h3
7 Bd2
7 Qd3
7 O-O
7 ... Bh5
7 ... Bxf3
8 g4
8 Qe2
8 Bd2
8 ... Bg6
9 Ne5
9 Bd2
9 ... e6
9 ... Nbd7
10 Nxg6
10 Bd2
10 Qe2
10 ... hxg6
11 Bd2
11 ... Bb4
11 ... Qb6
11 ... Qd8
11 ... Nbd7
12 a3
12 Qe2
12 f4
12 ... Bxc3
12 ... Bf8
12 ... Bd6
13 Bxc3
13 bxc3
13 ... Qb6
13 ... Qc7
13 ... Qg5
14 Qf3
14 f4
14 h4
14 ... Nd5
14 ... Nbd7
14 ... g5
15 O-O-O
15 h4
15 Be2
15 ... Nxc3
15 ... Nd7
15 ... g5
16 Qxc3
16 bxc3
16 ... Nd7
16 ... Na6
(C) 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3
5 ... Bf5
6 Bc4
6 Ne5
6 Bd2
6 Bd3
6 ... c6
6 ... Nbd7
6 ... e6
7 Bd2!
7 Ne5
7 Qe2
7 O-O
7 ... e6
7 ... Nbd7
7 ... Qb6
7 ... Qc7
8 Qe2
8 Nd5
8 Ne4
8 Ne5
8 Nh4
8 d5
8 Be2
8 ... Bb4
9 ... Nbd7
9 ... Bxc2
9 ... Qb6
9 ... Qc7
9 Ne5
9 O-O-O
9 a3
9 O-O
9 Bb3
9 ... Nbd7
10 Nxd7
10 a3
10 O-O-O
10 O-O
10 ... Nxd7
10 ... Kxd7
11 a3
11 ... Bxc3
12 Bxc3
12 ... Qc7
13 d5
13 ... cxd5
14 Bxd5
14 ... O-O
15 Bf3
Back to 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 4 d4 Nf6
5 Nf3 Bg4
6 h3
White decides to break the pin before it gets too
cumbersome.
6 Bd2
6 Bb5+
6 Be2
6 ... Bh5
Not commendable is 6 ... Bxf3 due to 7 Qxf3 c6
8 Bd2 Nbd7 9 0-0-0 e6 10 Bc4.
6 ... Bf5
7 g4
7 Bd2
7 ... Bg6
8 Ne5
And it's in the bag!
8 b4
8 ... e6
Giving Black a say in the d5 and f5 squares and
opening up a pathway for the f8 bishop.
8 ... c6
8 ... Nbd7
8 ... Ne4
8 ... Nfd7
9 Bg2
The b7 pawn is under fire.
9 h4
9 Nc4
9 Bd2
9 ... c6
9 ... Be4
9 ... Qb6
9 ... Qa6
10 h4
10 O-O
10 Qe2
10 Qd2
10 Nxg6
10 ... Be4
10 ... Nbd7
10 ... Bb4
11 Bxe4
11 f3
11 Nc4
11 ... Nxe4
12 Qf3
12 Bd2
12 Nc4
12 ... Nd6
13 Bd2
13 Bf4
13 Bg5
13 O-O
13 ... f6
13 ... Qb6
13 ... Nd7
14 Nd3
14 Ne2
14 Ne4
14 ... Nd7
14 ... Na6
15 Qe2
15 h5
15 O-O-O
15 b4
15 Ne4
15 ... O-O-O
15 ... e5
16 f4
16 O-O-O
16 h5
16 f3
16 ... h5
16 ... Re8
16 ... f5
17 O-O-O
17 Rg1
17 a3
By ChessCoach@care2.com
posted by ChessCoach1977 at 9:52 AM
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