Chess: Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part II

1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Nf6 3 Bb5+ Bd7 4 Bc4 b5 Line



Also available:
Chess: Understanding the Center Counter
(Scandinavian) Part I
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/01/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



2 exd5



2 ... Nf6



Black wants to focus on completing develop-
ment before taking on d5. That first goal
complements the other so well that he
usually emerges in satisfactory fashion.


2 ... Qxd5
2 ... c6
2 ... e6

3 Bb5+



Mobilization with gain of time is always the way to go.
White is taking advantage of the forward d5 pawn to
annoy the Black King. If Black were able to kick back
the bishop with an unchallenged 3 ... c6, this check
would be unreasonable.


3 d4
3 c4
3 Nf3
3 Nc3
3 Bc4

3 ... Bd7



3 ... c6
3 ... Nfd7
3 ... Nbd7
3 ... Nbd7

4 Bc4



Taking on d7 would fall in line with Black's
rapid mobilization plan (4 ... Nbxd7). Don't
aid the opponent's motive if it's not necessary
to do so! Now the bishop gives White a false
sense of superiority by securing d5.

4 Be2
4 Bxd7+

4 ... b5



But the protector himself is not protected!

4 ... Bg4
4 ... Bf5

5 Bb3



Danger averted and d5 retained.

5 Be2

5 ... Bg4



The beauty of gambit play is it always gives play!

Or,

5 ... a5



An option that allows Black to continue questioning
the bishop's safety. It also gives him ground.

6 a4



Of which White wants in on. He also needs room for the
threatened bishop.

6 a3

6 ... bxa4



6 ... b4

7 Bc4



a4 is not a priority given its exposure to the a1 rook.
f1-a6 is where it's at for the bishop.

7 Ba2

7 ... Bg4



7 ... c6

8 f3



8 Ne2
8 Nf3

8 ... Bc8



Relocation to h1-a8 always makes sense, considering
how Black is looking forward to retaking d5.

8 ... Bf5

9 Nc3



Supporting d5 and attacking a4, again.

9 Ne2

9 ... Bb7



9 ... a3
9 ... Nbd7

10 Nge2



Thanks to 8 f3, the knight comes out with less range
than it would at f3 (c3-d4-f4-g3 as opposed to d4-e5-
g5-h4).

10 Rxa4

10 ... Nxd5



Taking what belongs to him.

10 ... a3

11 Nxd5



11 Bxd5

11 ... Bxd5



11 ... a3
11 ... e6

12 Bxd5



12 Rxa4

12 ... Qxd5



13 Rxa4



13 d4
13 Nc3

13 ... Nd7



13 ... e6

Back to 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Nf6 3 Bb5+ Bd7 4 Bc4 b5
5 Bb3 Bg4



6 f3



6 Ne2
6 Nf3

6 ... Bc8



6 ... Bf5

7 Qe2



b5 is under fire. The Queen really wants to get to
c4 to help d5 though.

7 Ne2
7 d4

7 ... a6



7 ... Nxd5

8 a4



Encouraging Black to clear c4.

8 Qe5
8 f4
8 d4
8 Qf2

8 ... b4



8 ... Nxd5

9 Qc4



9 d4

9 ... Qd6



Should White advance d5-d6, f7 will be in trouble
from the Qc4-Bb3 duo.

9 ... e6

10 d3



Trying to catch up in development by releasing c1.

10 Nh3

10 ... e6



The d5 pressure is coming to a head. If White takes on
e6, .... Bxe6 would break up the imposing Qc4-Bb3 pair.

10 ... Bb7

11 Bf4



Attacking the Queen, knowing full well it has c4
protection.

11 Ne2

11 ... e5



Best form of defense is offense!

11 ... exd5
11 ... Qd8

12 Bg5



Aiming to strengthen d5 by threatening to take one of
its attackers.

12 Bg3

12 ... Bb7



12 ... Nbd7
12 ... Be7

13 Bxf6



13 Nd2

13 ... gxf6



14 Nd2



14 Ne2

14 ... f5



14 ... Qc5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

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