Modern 3...Qd6 is variation 2 of 4 in the Scandinavian Defence course, a beginner opening course for Black (ECO B01). It runs 16 moves and begins 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 …. Black puts the queen on d6, where it watches the centre and the kingside. With ...a6 Black stops Nb5 and Bb5 tricks, then develops ...Bg4, ...Nc6 and castles long. 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 immediately.
2. exd5 – White takes the pawn.
2... Qxd5 – Black regains the pawn.
3. Nc3 – White develops with tempo on the queen.
3... Qd6 – The modern square: the queen controls e5 and f4 and is close to the kingside, but must watch out for Nb5 and Bf4.
4. d4 – White takes the centre.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and controls e4.
5. Nf3 – White develops and supports d4.
5... a6 – A key prophylactic move: it stops Nb5 (hitting the queen and c7) and Bb5+ ideas.
6. g3 – White fianchettoes so the bishop presses on the long diagonal and the queenside.
6... Bg4 – Black develops the bishop actively, pinning the f3 knight and pressuring d4.
7. Bg2 – White completes the fianchetto.
7... Nc6 – Black adds pressure on d4 and prepares ...O-O-O.
8. O-O – White castles kingside.
8... O-O-O – Black castles long: the rook lands on d8, adding a third attacker to d4. The play is double-edged, with Black hoping to win d4 or attack on the kingside with ...h5-h4.
chessGM