Today, I’d like to share with you an opening system, the Scandinavian Defense. For many years, GM Sergey Kasparov has been practicing it. For that reason, in this 20-minute video lesson, he has created an introduction to this opening.
The Scandinavian Defense can be considered an improved version of the Caro-Kann. Let’s compare these two opening systems.
Suggestion: if you are a beginner, you may like to check out our latest lesson “Everything you need to know about openings” by FM Marko Makaj.
Position-1
In both openings, Black has a pawn on c6 but no pawn on the d-file. From White’s point of view, he has a pawn on d4 and nothing on the e-file.
Position-2
In the second position, we can see a typical Caro-Kann pawn structure. The only difference is that White has a pawn on h5 and Black has one on h6. This is more to White’s benefit because, in the middlegame, the g-pawn can run forward to g4 and g5, creating problems for the h6-pawn or on Black’s kingside.
Also, in the endgame, White has some superiority if only the dark-squared bishops are left on the board, since the h6-pawn is fixed to a dark square and could be a potential weakness. As you can see, the pawn structures are quite similar, so the two openings share similar ideas.
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White has a lot of ways to avoid the Caro-Kann but cannot avoid the Scandinavian Defense.
That’s why today, Eva Kasparova, daughter of Sergey Kasparov, has recorded the video on behalf of her father, for she can speak more fluent English than her father. You can watch the video lesson below:
You can download the PGN of the games mentioned in the video here.
P.S. Do you like Sergey Kasparov’s lessons? Have you watched his previous lesson about “How to win with opposite-colored bishops”? Please comment below to give your impressions on his lessons.
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He has prepared a video lesson on 
The endgame with opposite-colored bishops is a draw because the defensive side can blockade the passed pawn very well. Sometimes the position is a draw even if one side is two or even three (!) pawns up.
In the above diagram, black can successfully blockade the pawns but not both of them simultaneously. White’s plan is very simple. He will place the king on f6 and then advance the g-pawn. Sooner or later, Black will be forced to give up his bishop for the g-pawn. White can then win afterwards.
