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Posted by spurtus mailcafe.net 1/31/2006 12:50:56 Play online chess	Subject: The Scandinavian Revisited Message: OK, I'd like to devote this thread to the topic of the Scandinavian line 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 OK, there are other lines that are interesting, but to get anywhere lets exclusively work on this popular one. Anything goes, love it OR flame it. HOWEVER, this time lets concentrate on how to REFUTE blacks play. My opinion is ...well... a few years back I came to conclusion that it was wholly unsound and with careful play by white he can eventually neutralise blacks position fairly much however he plays but with extremely careful piece play from scratch, and white can drag out the smallest advantages to win ( however I still try this all the time and its my e4 weapon ) I am also of the opinion that despite blacks flashing target in the centre of the board, the queen acts temporarily as a useful supporting piece on a5, limiting whites counter attack until eventually switching board side or retreating after c6 to c7, at which point it is importantly a developed piece. This to me makes blacks play advantageous with his opening and if he can achieve this play he becomes a tempo higher than white, with the attack potential. Thanks in advance for your input, Spurtus.
Posted by schnarre mailcafe.net 1/31/2006 22:43:47 Play online chess	Hmmnnn.... Message: Has anyone seen g3 used vs the Scandinavian (in ANY variation)? I have not, but would that be worth a look?
Posted by ionadowman mailcafe.net 1/31/2006 23:25:03 Play online chess	Yes... Message: ...4.g3 seems to be one of 4 reasonable replies to 3...Qa5, the others being 4.d4 (my usual choice), 4.Nf3 and 4.Bc4. With 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 c6, White seems to have responded to Black's provocative opening in very non-committal fashion. Black is also keeping options open.
Posted by bonsai mailcafe.net 1/31/2006 23:28:33 Play online chess	Message: Actually 4.g3 is a fairly interesting move. If I remember correctly there is a Vallejo-Pons game where he shows a very interesting idea against the Argentinian variation (in which black plays 4...c6 + 4...g6) involving an early Rb1 + b2-b4 (most importantly before castling to discourage Qa5-h5). It's fairly positional, but not at all bad. Serious tries of refutation start with either 4.d4 or possibly 4.Bc4 (which can transpose to some 4.d4 lines and discourages certain other variations), I believe white needs to open up the position as quickly as possible to exploit his lead in development. For example three of the wins the game database in this line are by me: -> gameknot.com
Posted by ionadowman mailcafe.net 2/04/2006 03:48:58 Play online chess	In connexion with b4... Message: ...I've discovered a kind of gambit line in which white plays (1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5) 4.b4!? A couple of English masters tried it in the 1940s or 1950s. The idea seems quickly to open a file for the queen's rook. White gives up a pawn thereby, but doesn't lose anything in time owing to Black's having to move the Q again: 4...Qxb4 5.Rb1 Qd6. The Black queen probably won't stay on d6 for long. From what I can see, though, White seems to be telegraphing his punches a bit. The utility of the b-file is likely to be problematical, with Black yet to commit to a plan (not having had much opportunity to do so, so far!). All the same, an interesting struggle is in prospect!
Posted by schnarre mailcafe.net 2/05/2006 22:48:03 Play online chess	b4, eh!? Message: My game #3591406 (vs gothicgirl, who plays White)might be of interest: it was an unexpected reply--I'm used to 4. d4 or 4. Nf3--& I lost badly.
Posted by spurtus mailcafe.net 2/06/2006 05:40:10 Play online chess	b4 Message: Qh4 looks suspect here, since white simply develops at piece? Youve got to find a square for the queen where it belongs and hopefully isnt a viable target, but also allows the queen to act eventually as a developed piece. The b4 line is quite an aggressive gambit, I suppose the way to play against it is to show white that this pawn advantage is unsound by carefully taking it to the endgame, at least you know which side white should castle... you get a chance to slowly build an attack. I think. Spurtus.
Posted by schnarre mailcafe.net 2/06/2006 17:28:59 Play online chess	I agree! Message: Qh4 was a reaction (I didn't have time to plot a better move). With careful play Black should be able to play around this opening of the Queenside & get a respectable endgame! Good insight Spurtus!
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