Scandinavian Defense Modern Variation
The Modern Scandinavian is a very interesting way for black to avoid recapturing on d5 immediately and bringing his queen out too early.
The idea behind the move Nf6, instead of the main Qxd5, is to recapture the pawn with the knight later on and accept being a pawn down for the moment. Most often, that is exactly what’s going to happen, but white can be stubborn and try to hold on to the pawn.
One thing that has to be said about the Modern Variation (as is the case with almost every variation of the Scandinavian), it’s low maintenance. It requires very little theoretical knowledge to play and to understand, and there are very little sidelines to learn in comparison to main defenses to e4 for black. This makes it a great weapon for all levels of players.
Along with that, it’s flexible, and it bears resemblance to some other openings, which makes it a great side weapon to have in your repertoire.
The plans in the modern are different to main line Scandinavians. Since the queen isn’t on d5 white obviously is not going to misplace his knight on c3 for no reason. This means that c3 and (mostly) c4 are on the cards. Furthermore, the knight which sits on d5 after capturing the pawn is often going to be the “Alekhine” knight, jumping into b6 and often being forced away by c5.
That makes the Modern Scandinavian a weird mix between the Caro-Kann, the Alekhine, and several d4 openings.
White has three ways to try and fight the opening. D4 is the main move and the safest one. Simply expanding in the center, allowing black to recapture, and preparing to chase the d5 knight away with c4. The setup is simple and easy to play.
The second move is Bb5+, trying to disrupt black’s development and perhaps even hold on to the pawn. This move is (in my opinion) not as good for white as the other two.
Lastly, there is c4; the only proper way to try and punish black for not taking his pawn back. C4 simply defends, not allowing Nxd5. Here black has to be aggressive and concede to being a pawn down. Whether he has enough compensation is arguable, but white is definitely more likely to go wrong.
All in all, a fun opening. Perhaps not as good for black as Qxd5, but playable and tricky nonetheless!
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