Exercise 2.1Find the move
Black to move
White has broken the pin with 5.♗e2. Continue Black's setup.
2
A Black Repertoire: Scandinavian and QGD · Kapilash Chess Academy
The Main Line: 3.d4 Nxd5 4.Nf3 Bg4
Bishop out, then ...e6
In this lesson you will learn
- The move order 3.d4 ♘xd5 4.♘f3 ♗g4
- Why the bishop goes outside the pawn chain before ...e6
- What to do against c4 and the knight attack
- The typical middlegame plans for Black
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
2.1 Bishop First
In the main line Black develops the light-squared bishop to g4 before playing ...e6. This is the same idea as in the Caro-Kann: the bishop that would be shut in by ...e6 gets out first. Then Black builds a solid centre with ...e6, ...♗e7 and castling.
Diagram 2.1White to move
Example 2.1 · The setup
Black's bishop pins the knight on f3. White usually breaks the pin with ♗e2.
When White kicks the knight with c4, it retreats to b6, from where it presses on c4 and d5. Then the knight on c6 and the bishop on g4 both attack d4. If White plays h3 early, Black can take on f3: White gets the bishop pair, but Black's position is very solid with ...e6 and ...c6.
2.2 The Plan: Pressure on d4
White's pawn on d4 is Black's main target. The knight on c6, the bishop on g4 (pinning the f3-knight that defends d4) and often the queen on d7 or the rook on d8 all work against it. Later, ...♗f6 adds even more pressure.
Diagram 2.2Black to move
Example 2.2 · Hitting d4
A typical position. White has space; Black has pieces aimed at the centre.
Black brings the knight from b8 to d7 and the bishop to f6, putting heavy pressure on d4. White has to be careful with the d4-pawn. This is how the Scandinavian works: Black accepts a little less space but gets active pieces and a clear target.
TipIf White plays an early c4 and d5, Black's knight on b6 and the pressure on the light squares give good play. Do not be afraid of White's centre — it can become a target.
Remember
- 4...♗g4: develop the bishop before ...e6.
- Answer c4 with ...♘b6.
- The target is d4: ...♘c6, ...♗g4 and ...♗f6 all hit it.
- If White plays h3, ...♗xf3 is fine.
Exercises · Lesson 2
Each exercise comes from a position in this repertoire. Find the best move, then play it on the board.
Exercise 2.2Find the move
Black to move
White has kicked the knight with c4. Where should it go?
Exercise 2.3Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 6.c4. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.4Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 6.c3. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.5Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♕xf3. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.6Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 8.♘g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.7Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 8.♗g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.8Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♘g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.9Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♘h4. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.10Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 8.♗g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.11Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 9.♗g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 2.12Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♗g5. How does Black punish it?