Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5, 5.Bc4 c6

Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5, 5.Bc4 c6

Definition

The sequence “Scandinavian: 2…Qxd5, 5.Bc4 c6” refers to the main-line Scandinavian (or Center-Counter) Defence that begins 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 c6. After Black’s early queen recapture on d5 (move 2) and subsequent retreat to a5, White develops the bishop to the aggressive c4-square, eyeing f7; Black replies with the solid pawn move …c6, reinforcing the d5-square, creating a flight square for the a5-queen, and preparing …Bf5 or …Bg4.

Typical Move-Order

1. e4  d5
2. exd5  Qxd5
3. Nc3  Qa5
4. d4  Nf6
5. Bc4  c6

From this tabiya, play might continue 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Bd2 e6, entering quiet positional waters, or 6.Bd2 Qb6 7.Nf3 Bg4, keeping the queen active.

Strategic Ideas

• Black’s …c6 clamps down on the d5-square, prepares …d5 in the future, and stops White pieces from jumping to b5.
• White’s Bc4 targets f7 and discourages an immediate …e5 break. It also increases pressure on the a2–g8 diagonal should Black castle kingside.
• Piece Play vs. Pawn Structure – White enjoys quicker development and central space; Black banks on a rock-solid pawn chain (d5/c6/e6) and the two bishops once …g6 or …Bf5 appears.
• Queen Safety – After 3…Qa5 the queen stands somewhat exposed; …c6 gives her a bolthole on c7 and sets up the thematic retreat …Qc7.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

The Scandinavian Defence is one of the oldest recorded openings— Scandinavian sources show it as early as 1475. Modern revival owes much to grandmasters such as Sergei Tiviakov, Curt Hansen, and Vlastimil Babula. The specific 5.Bc4 c6 line gained popularity in the 1990s when players searched for reliable alternatives to the sharper 5…Bg4 lines. Today engines rate the position roughly equal, underscoring Black’s viability at every level.

Model Game

[[Pgn|1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 c6 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Ne5 e6 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 Bb4 10.Bd2 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Nxd7 12.h5 0-0 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Qf3 Rfe8 15.Qh3 Kf8 16.a3 e5 17.axb4 exd4 18.+- |fen||arrows|a4a5]]

(Bauer – Tiviakov, European Club Cup 2003). White eventually sacrificed kingside pawns for piece activity, but Tiviakov’s resilient pawn structure and bishop pair held firm—Black won after a long endgame, showcasing how …c6 underpins the entire defensive setup.

Typical Plans & Motifs

• For White
  • Rapid development: Nf3, 0-0, Qe2, Rd1.
  • Pressure on f7 and along the a2–g8 diagonal.
  • Queenside castling with pawn storms (b4, a4) in some lines.
• For Black
  • …e6, …Nbd7, …Bd6/Bb4, short castle.
  • Queen reroute: Qa5–c7, freeing the a-rook.
  • Central break …c5 or …e5 once development is complete.

Interesting Facts

• GM Sergei Tiviakov famously scored 26 ½/28 with the Scandinavian in classical play between 2005-2014—a statistical masterpiece he attributes to the reliability of …c6 lines.
• Despite the queen sortie on move 2, databases show an average game length of 44 moves—no quick refutation has ever been found.
• World Champion Magnus Carlsen used 2…Qxd5 to defeat Vishy Anand in a 2013 training game; he later joked the surprise value was worth more than a pawn.

When to Choose This Line

Opt for 5…c6 if you want a sound, theory-light system where strategic understanding outweighs concrete memorization. It is particularly useful in rapid and blitz because the piece placement is intuitive and tactical landmines favor Black’s solid structure.