The Scandinavian is one of the most direct openings there is: Black strikes at the centre on the very first move with 1.e4 d5 (ECO B01). After 2.exd5 Black usually recovers the pawn with 2...Qxd5.
Its distinguishing feature is the early queen sortie. After 3.Nc3 the queen retreats (to a5, d6 or d8), losing a tempo, but in exchange Black gets simple, comprehensible play with no weaknesses in the pawn structure.
The Scandinavian is easy to learn and offers clear plans, which makes it popular with club players. It is also perfectly sound and turns up in grandmaster games.
Set it up on the board, move the pieces around and copy the FEN - or open the full walkthrough of the opening in a separate article.
Drag a piece onto the board, or click a piece and then click the squares. The cross beside the pieces sweeps every piece of that colour off the board, and a single piece can be dragged off the edge.
The pieces will be arranged into the chosen pattern.
It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
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