Portuguese Variation 3...Bg4 is variation 4 of 4 in the Scandinavian Defence course, a beginner opening course for Black (ECO B01). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. f3 Bf5 …. Black ignores the d5 pawn and develops with 3...Bg4. After 4.f3 Bf5 5.c4 Black offers the e-pawn with ...e6, ...Nc6 and gets a dangerous lead in development. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... d5 – The Scandinavian: Black challenges e4.
2. exd5 – White takes the pawn.
2... Nf6 – Black develops first.
3. d4 – White takes the centre.
3... Bg4 – The Portuguese: Black develops with tempo, threatening ...Bxd1, and plans to regain d5 later or gambit it.
4. f3 – White kicks the bishop and plans to keep the extra pawn with c4.
4... Bf5 – The bishop retreats to an active diagonal, eyeing b1 and c2.
5. c4 – White supports the d5 pawn.
5... e6 – The gambit: Black opens lines for the pieces.
6. dxe6 – White takes the pawn.
6... Nc6 – Black develops and invites exf7+, gaining more time.
7. exf7+ – White grabs another pawn with check.
7... Kxf7 – The king recaptures. Black is two pawns down but has open lines and a big development lead.
8. Be3 – White defends d4 and develops.
8... Bb4+ – Black develops with check, making White's king feel uncomfortable.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM