Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5, 5.Bc4
Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5
Definition
“Scandinavian: 2…Qxd5” refers to the main-line capture in the Scandinavian Defense that arises after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5. Black immediately recaptures the pawn with the queen instead of the minor-piece alternative 2… Nf6 (the Modern Scandinavian). Because the queen appears on d5 as early as move two, this variation has its own characteristic plans, tabiyas, and historical body of theory.
Usage in Play
- Development vs. Initiative – Black concedes a developmental tempo (the queen can be chased) but gains an open c-file, simple piece play, and early central influence.
- Typical continuations – 3. Nc3 Qa5 (main line), 3. d4 Nf6, and rarer sidelines like 3. Nf3.
- Pawn Structure – Symmetrical center with d-pawns exchanged often leads to semi-open positions resembling Caro-Kann or French structures minus the c- and d-pawns.
Strategic Themes
- Queen Safety – Black must avoid being harassed by minor pieces; knowing when to re-route the queen (d5 → a5 → c7/d8) is vital.
- Light-Square Play – With …c6 and …Bf5/…Bg4, Black targets White’s light squares and discourages e4–e5 breaks.
- Piece Activity – By freeing the c-pawn, Black can contest the center with …c5 or seize the open c-file for rooks.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
The Scandinavian is one of the oldest recorded openings— Francesco di Castellvi vs. Narciso Vinyoles, 1475 featured the very same 2…Qxd5. Although viewed skeptically for decades because of the “queen-out-too-early” dogma, modern engines have rehabilitated the line, showing that accurate play neutralizes White’s initiative. Elite players such as Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Jan Gustafsson occasionally unleash it as a practical surprise weapon.
Illustrative Mini-Game
This 50-move struggle (Andersson-Nikolic, Sarajevo 1979) shows how the early queen sortie does not doom Black to passivity; after careful regrouping, the position became dynamically balanced and eventually resolved in a drawn rook endgame.
Interesting Facts
- In online blitz, 2…Qxd5 scores better than its theoretical reputation suggests because many White players mis-time the queen hunt and fall behind in development.
- Grandmaster Bojan Kurajica and IM John Bartholomew have authored popular repertoires that revolve around 2…Qxd5, making it a hit among club players.
- The nickname “Center-Counter” for the Scandinavian derives from this very capture, which counter-punches in the center on move two.
Scandinavian Main Line: 5.Bc4
Definition
“5.Bc4” is a sharp developing move played by White in the principal 3…Qa5 line of the Scandinavian. The usual sequence is: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4. The bishop eyes the f7-square and prepares to castle quickly, while simultaneously preventing …e5 under favorable circumstances.
Strategic Purpose
- Pressure on f7 – Combined with the knight on c3 and queen on d1, Bc4 sets up tactical motifs such as Nf3–g5 and Bxf7+.
- Central Support – By pinning the knight on f7 in some lines, the bishop facilitates a later d4–d5 break.
- King Safety – Immediate kingside castling (6. Nf3, 7. O-O) ensures White’s king is secure before the center opens.
Main Branches after 5.Bc4
- 5…Bf5 (classical) – Black develops with tempo against the queen on d1.
- 5…c6 – Bolsters the queen on a5 and prepares …Bf5 without allowing Nb5 ideas.
- 5…Bg4 – Pins the knight, discouraging d4–d5.
- 5…e6 – A solid choice transposing toward French-like structures.
Critical Ideas for Both Sides
After 5…Bf5 6. Nf3 e6 7. O-O c6, White often chooses from:
- 8. Bb3 Nbd7 9. Qe2 → queenside pawn storm with a4, Bd2, and sometimes Ne5.
- 8. Re1 → quick e4–e5 thrust, exploiting pins on the black queen and bishop.
- 8. Nh4 → immediately challenging the Bf5 bishop, aiming for g4 and f5 squares.
Model Game
The encounter Caruana – Jobava, FIDE GP Tbilisi 2015 illustrates both the dynamism and the dangers of 5.Bc4. Caruana sacrificed a pawn, seized the initiative on the c-file, and eventually converted a complicated rook ending.
Common Tactical Motifs
- Greek Gift–style sacs on f7 when Black lags in development.
- Discovered attack on the queen after d4–d5 or Nb5.
- Forks on b5/c7 when the queen remains on a5 and the c6-square is weakened.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- 5.Bc4 saw a surge in popularity after Kasparov vs. Anand, PCA 1995 where the world champion used it to secure a pleasant edge in game 1 of their match.
- In many Scandinavian databases, 5.Bc4 is the single most common fifth move, outnumbering 5. Nf3 and 5. Bd2 combined.
- The move fits nicely into “Italian Game”–style repertoires, so players familiar with those attacking patterns often feel at home here.