Scandinavian Defense
Black challenges e4 on the first move. White can exchange and then develop with tempo against the queen, while Black must choose how to regain the pawn without losing too much time.
Your plan as White
After exd5, develop with tempo when the queen recaptures. Keep your central development coordinated.
The opponent’s plan
Challenge e4 immediately. Choose a safe queen route or develop a knight before recovering the pawn.
Watch out: Repeated queen moves can leave the minor pieces and king behind in development.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
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Name, background and sources
Also called the Center Counter, this is one of the oldest recorded opening ideas. Anand used it against Kasparov in their 1995 world championship match.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0)
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.