Scandinavian: 2.exd5 — Definition & overview
Scandinavian: 2.exd5
Definition
“Scandinavian: 2.exd5” refers to White’s second move in the Scandinavian Defense: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5. White captures the pawn that Black has advanced to d5, immediately resolving the central tension and forcing Black either to recapture at once (most commonly with 2…Qxd5) or to delay the capture with lines such as 2…Nf6. The term often appears in opening manuals as a branch heading: “Scandinavian Defense, 2.exd5.”
Usage in Chess
Players annotate the Scandinavian in move-order segments. After 1.e4 d5, the move 2.exd5 is practically automatic, so databases label the entire opening family as Scandinavian ≥ 2.exd5. In ECO coding it falls under B01. Common continuations include:
- 2…Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 – Classical Main Line
- 2…Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 – Gubinsky-Melts Defense
- 2…Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5 – Modern (or Marshall) Variation
- 2…c6 3.d4 cxd5 – Scandinavian Gambit-Avoidance line
Strategic Significance
By playing 2.exd5, White claims an immediate material balance and opens the e-file, but also tempts Black’s queen or knight into early development. This early queen excursion shapes the middlegame plans:
- Development tempo: White often gains time by attacking the queen with Nc3, Nf3, or d4–c4.
- Open center: Both sides must coordinate quickly because the pawn structure is fluid.
- Piece activity vs. structure: Black’s queen recapture yields quick piece activity, whereas White aims for structural stability and free development.
Historical Perspective
The Scandinavian is one of the oldest recorded openings; it appeared in printer Ercole del Rio’s work (1750s) and was played by Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais in the 1830s. The move 2.exd5 has therefore been analyzed for centuries, yet it remains topical:
- Short – Kasparov, Tilburg 1991, featured the 2…Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 main line.
- Carlsen used the Modern variation (2…Nf6) in rapid play, 2015.
- Grandmasters such as Sergei Tiviakov and Curt Hansen have built entire repertoires around meeting 2.exd5.
Illustrative Example
In the following miniature White exploits tempi gained after 2.exd5:
The early queen development after 2…Qxd5 allowed White persistent threats (Nc3, d4), culminating in a swift kingside attack.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Grandmaster Sergei Tiviakov once boasted an unbeaten streak of 50+ classical games with Black in the main line beginning 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5.
- The nickname “Patzer’s Opening” was humorously attached to the Scandinavian in old club lore because beginners liked bringing the queen out early—yet the defense is fully sound at top level.
- In internet bullet chess, 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 is popular because both players can “pre-move” the sequence, accelerating play.
Key Takeaways
2.exd5 is the fundamental branching point of the Scandinavian Defense. Understanding its strategic premises—rapid development, queen‐tempo battles, and open-center tactics— equips players on both sides to navigate one of chess’s most time-tested openings.