Openings

Against the Scandinavian: develop with tempo

Distinguish the queen recapture from …Nf6 and use development to gain space.

Club foundations · 1000–1400Intermediate · 1400–1600

4 lessons · 32 min estimated practice

Free · No game imports needed

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White to move

Try the first position

Capture d5 and answer …Qxd5 with Nc3.

Develop while attacking the queen
Club foundations · 8 min
Black attacks your e4 pawn on move one. After exchanging, the queen recapture lets you develop the knight with a threat.
Occupy the centre after …Qa5
Club foundations · 8 min
The queen has retreated to a5, looking along the diagonal to e1. The c3 knight sits on that line: recognise its situation as you build the centre.
Break the pin and castle
Club foundations · 8 min
You can develop the bishops and place a piece between the opposing queen and your king. That prepares safe castling and restores the knight’s mobility.
If Black delays recapturing
Intermediate · 8 min
…Nf6 develops before recapturing the pawn. You can answer by occupying the centre rather than spending several tempi holding an extra pawn.