Answers.Body: <p>I would say that the only obvious target for black (meaning a plan that's almost build into the opening) is applying pressure to the white d pawn, assuming white does play d4. Then of course he should try to break with either c5 or e5.</p>
  
  <p>I can recommend checking out IM John Bartholomew, he's got a Youtube channel and he's a huge fan of the Scandi Qd8 line, I understand he's also got some tutorial on the line.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T07:31:40.160Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-06-03T07:31:40.160Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: acye
Answers.Body: <p>Fundamentally speaking, Black's position has no weaknesses, but is behind in development. Theory says if Black can solve his development, he will be equal. Magnus Carlsen has played this position as black (vs Fabiano, Tromsoe Ol, 2014, 0-1, 50), as have many other GMs, the likely reason because black has no weaknesses to speak of, and can draw equal. The Scandanavian Defense is deceptively resilient. So, in general, find good squares for your pieces. Black will play e6, complete his development and look for play where the game leads him. Since he has no weaknesses, White will be short of good targets. Since it is so early in the game, to elucidate on any plan this early is folly, as you have to take into account White's play and ideas. At 1200 level, mistakes will be made. Don't make the last one!</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T10:18:40.427Z
Answers.Text: Carlsen can get away with playing offbeat variations like this Scandinavian sideline once in a blue moon exactly because he only plays those variations once in a blue moon. If Caruana had known Carlsen would play this, he would have been prepared and would have likely gained a considerable edge out of the opening. Of course high-level discussions like that game are not very relevant at 1200 level, but Carlsen having played it once does not mean it is a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire at master level.
Answers.UserDisplayName: TMM
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T17:30:19.040Z
Answers.Text: "...but Carlsen having played it once does not mean it is a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire at master level. "
  
  Right. good thing I never said that.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Priyome
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T18:20:40.423Z
Answers.Text: "...black has no weaknesses to speak of, and can draw equal." - You did. Against good players black will not "draw equal" unless white messes up. As I said, at best it is a decent surprise weapon.
Answers.UserDisplayName: TMM
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T19:17:13.457Z
Answers.Text: Yes, that is totally me saying "it's a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire at master level", as you seem to ascribe. Nice try. I was expressing a believe about the position. Try again. Don't know why you feel the need to put words in my mouth.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Priyome
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-07T04:07:00.970Z
Answers.Text: Ok, if you insist: you are wrong when you say "black can draw equal". Is that still putting words in your mouth? And if your statement were true, it would by definition be "a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire" even at top levels, which again it is certainly not.
Answers.UserDisplayName: TMM
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-07T23:54:01.760Z
Answers.Text: I can't be wrong - it was an opinion. FAIL. Don't you have a dog to kick or a baby to steal candy from?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Priyome
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-08T00:52:02.947Z
Answers.Text: Yeah, you are the baby I'm stealing candy from. But whatever, if you are going to use incredibly intelligent arguments like "I can't be wrong" there's no point in talking to you.
Answers.UserDisplayName: TMM
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Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T01:25:14.310Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-06-06T01:25:14.310Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Priyome
Answers.Body: <p>If you really must, because your friend bet a wager that he can beat you as black in this position, here are the imbalances, concrete and possible, that you must look out for (as white):</p>
  <pre><code>[FEN &quot;&quot;]
  
  1.e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8
  </code></pre>
  <ul>
  <li>Black's open d-file</li>
  <li>Active LSB</li>
  <li>Kingside pawn majority</li>
  </ul>
  <p>Still, this is not without its weaknesses:</p>
  <ul>
  <li><p>A delay in development. White can safely continue with d4, Be3, Qd2, O-O-O.</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Black's reduced control of the squares on the e-file. Castle long and prompt to push his f-pawn somehow, followed by a minority attack g2-g4 (or g2-g4-g5).</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Black's reduced control of the squares on the c-file. If black castles long, or the situation somehow else warrants it, break open the c-file, create an outpost on the c4-c5 square, and move a knight, bishop, or rook to this square where b7-b6 or b7-b5 has to happen. Now you'll have a new, but weakened structure to attack.</p>
  <p>Black will play to nullify white's knights with ...Bg4 (if Nf3), ...e6, ...Bc5, Ne7, and O-O, finally obtaining a solid position. If white castles short, black can launch a minority attack, creating holes which his knights can then infiltrate. He can place pressure on the d-pawn by restricting its advance, playing c7-c6, ...Rd8, and ...Nd5. If white plays c4, then the d-pawn has become weakened and serves as a target.</p>
  </li>
  </ul>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T05:03:05.060Z
Answers.Text: Thank you alot! What does lsb mean?  Because i haze only 9 reputuation, my vote doesnt count. Too bad, Iwould have enjoyed putting you back to +0
Answers.UserDisplayName: Maximilian Wittmer
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T06:16:25.660Z
Answers.Text: Yeah, no idea why someone down-voted it, though I don't really care - truth is self-evident. LSB = Light-squared bishop.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-04T22:51:35.127Z
Answers.Text: Black's LSB is not usually very active when white plays accurately - he can effectively prevent black from developing it to f5 or g4 with an accurate move order. (At 1200 level that is unlikely to happen, but at higher levels it is a problem for black.)
Answers.UserDisplayName: TMM
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T01:27:51.260Z
Answers.Text: @Jossie Calderon - Welcome Back. how was the Chicago Open? You going to show us your games?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Priyome
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-06T17:19:08.323Z
Answers.Text: @Priyome Let's move this conversation to the chat room.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-07-16T17:15:01.247Z
Answers.Text: LSB = Light Square Bishop.  Black's main problem is, just as in the Caro-Kann, is a cramped position.  Without a timely e5 or c5 break, white has an  easy game.  An outpost on e5 makes for a kingside attack, so I prefer the bishop on d6 instead of c5.  White, if he pushed to c5, will leave d4 weaker.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Fred Knight
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Answers.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T01:42:14.123Z
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Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-06-17T09:59:59.497Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Body: <p>I'm playing the Scandinavian Defence with 3...Qd8 a lot and I really like that opening. But I can't seem to find the right plan. I just develop my pieces towards the center (I don't fianchetto my bishop on g7) and then hope my opponent blunders. Could you please tell me on what I can improve? I'm a 1200 FIDE rated player. </p>
  
  <p>I have already searched the web but the only thing I came up with, was that Scandinavian Defence is considered bad at high level. </p>
  
  <p>I also saw some master games but that doesn't really help as they all play 3...Qa5.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-02T22:03:58.167Z
Comments.Text: Why would you allow white a sharp lead in development?? Also, playing hope chess is a road to nowhere fast.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-02T22:13:38.817Z
Comments.Text: @jossiecalderon I know it leads to nothing, but I cant find a plan in this opening. Also, the lead in developement isnt that sharp. Take a look at the philidor defence or the carocann. Both give white a developement advantage
Comments.UserDisplayName: Maximilian Wittmer
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-02T22:31:34.150Z
Comments.Text: Maybe read the book, "The 3...Qd8 Scandinavian: Simple and Strong" by Daniel Lowinger.
Comments.UserDisplayName: CWallach
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-02T22:55:11.447Z
Comments.Text: After 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. Nf3 (or 4. d4), white is winning.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-02T23:40:54.390Z
Comments.Text: @JossieCalderon Karpov begs to differ: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1742232
Comments.UserDisplayName: Dag Oskar Madsen
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T00:20:34.143Z
Comments.Text: @DagOskarMadsen 6. d5? was foolish. White should have kept developing quietly with 6. Be3 (followed by Nge2, Ng3, Qd2, etc. - throw a queenside castle somewhere in there), not allowing black into the game. Perhaps a loss of focus is to blame.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T11:00:22.953Z
Comments.Text: @JossieCalderon White is not winning in the line you indicate. However, white has a very pleasant position after just four moves, and black has yet to demonstrate the point behind their play. In the Scandinavian, in general, black can get a position that is solid enough to defend with accurate play, but on the other hand black will have difficulties generating winning chances if white plays sensible chess against it.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Scounged
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T16:33:36.243Z
Comments.Text: @Scounged: that's right. Still, I like to refer to pleasant positions as "winning", but I think I'll start referring to them as "certainly not losing" instead.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Jossie Calderon
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-03T22:03:42.197Z
Comments.Text: @JossieCalderon That could work, but normally I think that people refer to such positions as "better" for one side or the other. But as long as not every good position is labeled as "winning" I think most of the potential confusion that could arise would disappear.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Scounged
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2017-06-04T22:43:58.803Z
Comments.Text: There's a ChessBase 60-minutes video by Andrew Martin on this variation, for something like 10 dollars. Might be a good investment if you plan to play this seriously.
Comments.UserDisplayName: TMM
Tags: <opening><planning><scandinavian-defense>
Title: Plans in the Scandinavian Defence
ThreadText: # Plans in the Scandinavian Defence
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-02)
  
  I'm playing the Scandinavian Defence with 3...Qd8 a lot and I really like that opening. But I can't seem to find the right plan. I just develop my pieces towards the center (I don't fianchetto my bishop on g7) and then hope my opponent blunders. Could you please tell me on what I can improve? I'm a 1200 FIDE rated player.
  
  I have already searched the web but the only thing I came up with, was that Scandinavian Defence is considered bad at high level.
  
  I also saw some master games but that doesn't really help as they all play 3...Qa5.
  
  **Tags:** opening, planning, scandinavian-defense
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Why would you allow white a sharp lead in development?? Also, playing hope chess is a road to nowhere fast.  
  > **username_0**: @username_1 I know it leads to nothing, but I cant find a plan in this opening. Also, the lead in developement isnt that sharp. Take a look at the philidor defence or the carocann. Both give white a developement advantage  
  > **username_2**: Maybe read the book, "The 3...Qd8 Scandinavian: Simple and Strong" by Daniel Lowinger.  
  > **username_1**: After 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. Nf3 (or 4. d4), white is winning.  
  > **username_3**: @username_1 Karpov begs to differ: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1742232  
  > **username_1**: @username_3 6. d5? was foolish. White should have kept developing quietly with 6. Be3 (followed by Nge2, Ng3, Qd2, etc. - throw a queenside castle somewhere in there), not allowing black into the game. Perhaps a loss of focus is to blame.  
  > **username_4**: @username_1 White is not winning in the line you indicate. However, white has a very pleasant position after just four moves, and black has yet to demonstrate the point behind their play. In the Scandinavian, in general, black can get a position that is solid enough to defend with accurate play, but on the other hand black will have difficulties generating winning chances if white plays sensible chess against it.  
  > **username_1**: @username_4: that's right. Still, I like to refer to pleasant positions as "winning", but I think I'll start referring to them as "certainly not losing" instead.  
  > **username_4**: @username_1 That could work, but normally I think that people refer to such positions as "better" for one side or the other. But as long as not every good position is labeled as "winning" I think most of the potential confusion that could arise would disappear.  
  > **username_5**: There's a ChessBase 60-minutes video by Andrew Martin on this variation, for something like 10 dollars. Might be a good investment if you plan to play this seriously.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2017-06-03. Score: 8 | Accepted answer
  
  If you really must, because your friend bet a wager that he can beat you as black in this position, here are the imbalances, concrete and possible, that you must look out for (as white):
  
  ```
  [FEN ""]
  
  1.e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8
  
  ```
  
  * Black's open d-file
  * Active LSB
  * Kingside pawn majority
  
  Still, this is not without its weaknesses:
  
  * A delay in development. White can safely continue with d4, Be3, Qd2, O-O-O.
  * Black's reduced control of the squares on the e-file. Castle long and prompt to push his f-pawn somehow, followed by a minority attack g2-g4 (or g2-g4-g5).
  * Black's reduced control of the squares on the c-file. If black castles long, or the situation somehow else warrants it, break open the c-file, create an outpost on the c4-c5 square, and move a username_8, bishop, or rook to this square where b7-b6 or b7-b5 has to happen. Now you'll have a new, but weakened structure to attack.
  
    Black will play to nullify white's knights with ...Bg4 (if Nf3), ...e6, ...Bc5, Ne7, and O-O, finally obtaining a solid position. If white castles short, black can launch a minority attack, creating holes which his knights can then infiltrate. He can place pressure on the d-pawn by restricting its advance, playing c7-c6, ...Rd8, and ...Nd5. If white plays c4, then the d-pawn has become weakened and serves as a target.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Thank you alot! What does lsb mean?  Because i haze only 9 reputuation, my vote doesnt count. Too bad, Iwould have enjoyed putting you back to +0  
  > **username_1**: Yeah, no idea why someone down-voted it, though I don't really care - truth is self-evident. LSB = Light-squared bishop.  
  > **username_5**: Black's LSB is not usually very active when white plays accurately - he can effectively prevent black from developing it to f5 or g4 with an accurate move order. (At 1200 level that is unlikely to happen, but at higher levels it is a problem for black.)  
  > **username_7**: @username_1 - Welcome Back. how was the Chicago Open? You going to show us your games?  
  > **username_1**: @username_7 Let's move this conversation to the chat room.  
  > **username_8**: LSB = Light Square Bishop.  Black's main problem is, just as in the Caro-Kann, is a cramped position.  Without a timely e5 or c5 break, white has an  easy game.  An outpost on e5 makes for a kingside attack, so I prefer the bishop on d6 instead of c5.  White, if he pushed to c5, will leave d4 weaker.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2017-06-03. Score: 4
  
  I would say that the only obvious target for black (meaning a plan that's almost build into the opening) is applying pressure to the white d pawn, assuming white does play d4. Then of course he should try to break with either c5 or e5.
  
  I can recommend checking out IM John Bartholomew, he's got a Youtube channel and he's a huge fan of the Scandi Qd8 line, I understand he's also got some tutorial on the line.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2017-06-06. Score: 3
  
  Fundamentally speaking, Black's position has no weaknesses, but is behind in development. Theory says if Black can solve his development, he will be equal. Magnus Carlsen has played this position as black (vs Fabiano, Tromsoe Ol, 2014, 0-1, 50), as have many other GMs, the likely reason because black has no weaknesses to speak of, and can draw equal. The Scandanavian Defense is deceptively resilient. So, in general, find good squares for your pieces. Black will play e6, complete his development and look for play where the game leads him. Since he has no weaknesses, White will be short of good targets. Since it is so early in the game, to elucidate on any plan this early is folly, as you have to take into account White's play and ideas. At 1200 level, mistakes will be made. Don't make the last one!
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_5**: Carlsen can get away with playing offbeat variations like this Scandinavian sideline once in a blue moon exactly because he only plays those variations once in a blue moon. If Caruana had known Carlsen would play this, he would have been prepared and would have likely gained a considerable edge out of the opening. Of course high-level discussions like that game are not very relevant at 1200 level, but Carlsen having played it once does not mean it is a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire at master level.  
  > **username_7**: "...but Carlsen having played it once does not mean it is a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire at master level. "  Right. good thing I never said that.  
  > **username_5**: "...black has no weaknesses to speak of, and can draw equal." - You did. Against good players black will not "draw equal" unless white messes up. As I said, at best it is a decent surprise weapon.  
  > **username_7**: Yes, that is totally me saying "it's a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire at master level", as you seem to ascribe. Nice try. I was expressing a believe about the position. Try again. Don't know why you feel the need to put words in my mouth.  
  > **username_5**: Ok, if you insist: you are wrong when you say "black can draw equal". Is that still putting words in your mouth? And if your statement were true, it would by definition be "a solid main choice for one's opening repertoire" even at top levels, which again it is certainly not.  
  > **username_7**: I can't be wrong - it was an opinion. FAIL. Don't you have a dog to kick or a baby to steal candy from?  
  > **username_5**: Yeah, you are the baby I'm stealing candy from. But whatever, if you are going to use incredibly intelligent arguments like "I can't be wrong" there's no point in talking to you.  
  
  ---
  
  