Learn the Scandinavian Defense in 15 Minutes [Chess Opening Crash Course]

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov presents a chess openings crash course on the Scandinavian Defense, which arises after the opening moves 1.e4 d5. It is particularly popular at the amateur level and proves to be a dangerous opening below the 2000 ELO level.

After watching this video, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the Scandinavian Defense. GM Smirnov explains common ideas for both White and Black, detailing typical plans move by move.

Additionally, you will learn the most common responses from White, including the mainline, the classical variation, the modern variation, and other sidelines such as the Tennison Gambit.

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► Chapters

00:00 Scandinavian Defense: Chess Openings Crash Course
00:15 Why is Scandinavian Defense better than 1...e5?
02:38 White's options after 1...d5
04:10 Sideline 2.Nf3, Tennison Gambit
05:19 1) If White plays 2.e5
07:48 If you can't capture the e5-pawn
10:04 Scandinavian Defense for White
10:45 3...Qa5, Classical Line (simple opening setup for Black)
13:20 2...Nf6, Modern Variation
14:49 White plays 3.c4 to defend d5, Icelandic-Palme Gambit

#IgorNation #ChessOpenings #Scandinavian_Defense #ScandinavianDefense #ChessOpening #ChessOpeningsForBeginners

[MyBiPolarBearMax]

This is excellent and exactly what i was looking for!

Literally yesterday i was thinking “i need to find more aggressive openings for black, i should look on Igor’s channel to find one” 😂


Great work as always and *love* the teaching method of explaining the why of every position so you dont just memorize moves.

Best chess teacher on YT!

[GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters

00:00 Scandinavian Defense: Chess Openings Crash Course
00:15 Why is Scandinavian Defense better than 1...e5?
02:38 White's options after 1...d5
04:10 Sideline 2.Nf3, Tennison Gambit
05:19 1) If White plays 2.e5
07:48 If you can't capture the e5-pawn
08:37 2) If White plays 2.exd5 (Mainline)
10:04 Scandinavian Defense for White
10:45 3...Qa5, Classical Line (simple opening setup for Black)
13:20 2...Nf6, Modern Variation
14:49 White plays 3.c4 to defend d5, Icelandic-Palme Gambit

[WayOfHaQodesh]

As a Scandinavian Viking myself, I wholeheartedly appreciate this video and the other one.

[percivalsimon]

Thanks a lot, sir! An avid fan of yours from the Philippines... more power and God bless!

[Magoooobly]

Ive thought the scandi was lame for so long because all i see is queen taking pawn on move 2. This is much more interesting, might start playing it in my games.

[SRINIDHISUBRAMANYA-zc]

Thanks a ton Sir!
I was been learning scandinavian since 2 months but i have been unsuccessful. Your video was outstanding!

[capchemist]

"will suffer from HORSING around for so long" lmao

[redblast]

I played games with the Scandinavian and i gained a lot of rating points cause 1.e4 is most popular for white at my level, thanks Gm smirnov

[MrBraveHQ]

Can U do a full course on Sicilian defends variations. I would watch it for hours

[Primitive_Code]

I also like the two sidelines: Portuguese gambit in longer time controls that you've covered in your opening bundle and Kadas gambit for blitz and bullet. Kadas does amazing in bullet.

[vigilantvillan]

Your videos are very helpful! As a beginner, I really like these system type setups.

[Dqrknss]

Thanks for preparing me for a chess turnament in Germany. You helped me get 2 out of like 2k!
Thanks so much 🙏

[Wryyyyyyyyy]

Scandinavian is my first opening I learnt when I was 300, now I'm 600, im learning it again cuz I quitted chess, I also watched Levy video but it's a little bit outdated, but in your video, you explained everything I need to know like decline pawn on d5 or modern Scandinavian. I hope you reached 1m this 2024.

[dancu]

A lot of thanks for making and sharing your video!!

[jdmnc]

your format is particularly helpful for beginners and starters. i for one don't know how to 'study' chess. i know how to play the basics but i decided to study chess in depth(? sort of) because i want to teach my child how to play. Hoping that someday he gets better bring him achievements or skills or at least develop what cognitive development this mind game might bring.

your format is bite sized, a bit still too much for one bite 😅but the vid can be paused and watched for a few times so that's not much of a problem. i transfer and save it using other availalble online tools so i can just run through the line, along with different variations. i separate other variations if there are too many of them like your version of the sicilian. but on videos with one or two lines, i save it in one chapter.

your videos helped me a lot and i hope i reach 1000 to 1500 someday. 🤭I benefit from it too after all, not just for my child.

thank you for you generosity in sharing your skills and knowledge in chess. the best that i know, easy to watch and listen to.

[mrnelgin]

After Qxd4 I'd like to have seen the continuation of Qe2. That makes Qxf2+ impossible Also there's Nxe4 since it's unpinned which also stops Qxf2. Finally B Be3 would attack the queen. There's so many ways for white to respond here. I guess the idea was just to show up that checkmate idea but that's "hopeful" chess. :)

[calerechess]

Thanks for making a video on the Scandinavian, I used to make the mistake almost all the time of checking the king in the mainline 9:29

[platindasgupta]

Please do such crash courses on Grunfeld, Nimzo, Kings Indian, Sicilian closed, Catalan, Slav, semi slav

[niso]

Thanks for the videos you are the best
can you make a videos about middle game plans?
Thanks!

[chriso]

Thanks for this. I've watched quite a few of your videos and always find them very worthwhile.

I would like to ask if maybe you would consider doing another Scandi video or two in a little greater depth. I've been playing it a lot for a couple of years (I'm around 1600-1700 on lichess). I used to play the early c6 line as you show, but I found that as opponents got better, I ran into more trouble with it. Now I generally play Nf6 and delay c6, sometimes never playing it. Anyway, maybe you could address that in a future video as in most lines, the discoveries are not all that dangerous.