Scandinavian Defense: Mieses–Kotrč Line & Anderssen Orthodox
Scandinavian Defense
Definition
The Scandinavian Defense – also known as the Center-Counter – is a direct reply to the king-pawn opening in which Black challenges the centre immediately:
1. e4 d5
Typical Move Orders
- Main Line: 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 (the Mieses–Kotrč variation, covered in the next entry).
- Modern Line: 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5.
- Portuguese (Icelandic) Gambit: 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 c6!?
Strategic Ideas
Black concedes a small lead in development by bringing the queen out early, but gains:
- Immediate pressure on e4 and d4 squares.
- A clear, semi-open d-file for potential piece activity.
- Psychological surprise value – many 1.e4 players see the Scandinavian far less often than 1…c5, 1…e5, or 1…e6.
White, conversely, tries to exploit the queen’s early sortie by developing with tempo and building a mobile centre.
Historical Notes
The opening was analysed as early as Lucena’s manuscript (c. 1497) and reached top-level play in the 1895 Hastings tournament. Its modern revival is largely due to Grandmasters such as Bent Larsen, Curt Hansen, and Magnus Carlsen (who beat Anand with it in Wijk aan Zee 2010).
Illustrative Mini-Game
After move 6, both sides have completed three minor-piece developments, but Black has already cast doubt on the c- and d-pawn advances.
Interesting Facts
- In 2021 a database search showed that 1…d5 scores almost exactly 50 % for Black at master level – remarkable for an opening starting with an early queen move.
- Many blitz specialists adopt the Scandinavian because it eliminates large bodies of open-game theory (Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch, etc.) in one stroke.
Mieses–Kotrč Main Line (Scandinavian)
Definition
The most heavily analysed branch of the Scandinavian Defense, named after the German-British Grandmaster Jacques Mieses and the Czech master František Kotrč:
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5
How the Line Is Used
- 3…Qa5 preserves the centralized queen while stepping out of Nc3 tempo-gains.
- Black often follows with …c6, …Nf6, …Bf5 or …Bg4, and a quick …e6, aiming for solid but flexible piece play.
- White’s main continuations are 4.d4, 4.Nf3, or 4.b4!?
Strategic Themes
- Queenside surveillance: The a5–e1 diagonal keeps an eye on e1, discouraging an early Bf1–c4 pin.
- Pawn structure: Black gladly exchanges minor pieces to reach an equal-pawn ending where the d-file pressure persists.
- Development race: White strives for swift castle and central expansion with c4 or d5 before Black’s coordination is complete.
Notable Games
- Michael Adams – Vladimir Kramnik, Dortmund 1995: An instructive draw where Kramnik equalised effortlessly.
- Magnus Carlsen – Viswanathan Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2010: Carlsen’s trademark grind converted a small edge on move 75.
Curiosities
- Because Mieses was a fierce attacking player, it is ironic that the line named after him is renowned for positional solidity.
- The retreat 3…Qa5 was once considered “too slow”; modern engines rate it as the soundest queen move after 2…Qxd5.
Main Line (General Chess Term)
Definition
In opening theory the “main line” denotes the sequence that mainstream praxis and theoretical consensus regard as the most critical or popular continuation for both sides.
How the Term Is Used
- Annotators contrast main lines with sidelines, sub-variations, or tricky lines.
- Books often give the main line in bold or in the left-hand column, with alternatives indented.
- Modern databases track how the statistical main line shifts over time; yesterday’s sideline can become today’s main line (e.g., the Berlin Defence of the Ruy Lopez).
Strategic / Historical Significance
Because main lines embody best-practice, they provide the deepest body of high-quality games from which plans, endgame themes, and typical tactical motifs are derived.
Example
In the Sicilian Najdorf, the classic main line once began 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Be7 8.Qf3 Qc7; today 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Be7 is equally main line.
Fun Fact
During the romantic 19th century, “main line” often meant the most aggressive line (e.g., the King’s Gambit). In engine-age chess it more often means the most resilient move.
Anderssen Attack (King’s Gambit)
Definition
The Anderssen Attack is a dynamic way for White to handle the King’s Gambit Accepted, named after the legendary German master Adolf Anderssen (1818-1879). The key tabiya arises after:
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4
Ideas Behind 3.Bc4
- Immediate pressure on the sensitive f7-square.
- Possibility of a swift Qh5+ doubling attack (after Nf3, 0-0, d4).
- White is ready to castle long or short depending on Black’s reaction.
Historical & Strategic Significance
Anderssen used this line in numerous brilliancies, the most famous being the “Immortal Game” (Anderssen – Kieseritzky, London 1851), though that particular masterpiece followed an irregular move order. 19th-century theory considered 3.Bc4 the main test; modern theory alternates between 3.Nf3 (King’s Knight Gambit) and 3.Bc4 depending on engines and fashion.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Interesting Tidbits
- Because 3.Bc4 allows an immediate …Qh4+ check, modern texts sometimes call it the Bishop’s Gambit; the name “Anderssen Attack” honours its earliest champion.
- Engines rate the position after 3.Bc4 at roughly +0.3 for White – surprisingly respectable for a 200-year-old gambit line.
Orthodox Attack (King’s Indian Defense)
Definition
In the King’s Indian Defense, the term Orthodox Attack (also called the Classical or Main Line) refers to White’s most straightforward set-up featuring:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg6 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5
Strategic Hallmarks
- Space Advantage: White clamps down on the centre with d5, cramping Black.
- Pawn Storms: Typical plans involve c4-c5 on the queenside or f2-f3 followed by g2-g4 on the kingside.
- Piece Manoeuvres: Knights often reroute via e1-d3-b4 or c2-e3-g4, while Black heads for …Ne7-g6 and the thematic pawn thrust …f5.
Historic Relevance
The line has been the battleground for world championship encounters: Petrosian – Spassky 1966, Kasparov – Karpov 1985-1990, and modern clashes such as Caruana – Giri, Candidates 2020.
Example Position
After 8…Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Nd3 f5, both sides are fully committed: White seeks queenside breakthroughs while Black aims for a kingside assault – a strategic race emblematic of the King’s Indian.
Interesting Anecdote
When Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky in game 10 of the 1972 match using the Orthodox Attack, it was the first time in history that the world champion had lost a King’s Indian on the Black side in championship play.