David Smerdon

Smerdons
Scandinavian

www.everymanchess.com
 About the Author

David Smerdon is a Grandmaster from Australia. He has represented his country at six
chess Olympiads, and played board one for the Australian team at the 2012 and 2014
Olympiads. In 2009, he won the Oceania Zonal Championship and qualified for the World
Cup. Hes a regular contributor to the popular chess openings websites ChessPublish-
ing.com and Chess.com, as well as writing several opening articles for New in Chess Year-
books.

Dedication
To my parents, who taught me to play well, and
to Manuel, who taught me to play whatever I wanted.
Contents

About the Author 3

Acknowledgements 6
Preface 7
Introduction 9
How to Use This Book 23
One Hundred Games 25

Section One: The Portuguese Complex 3 d4 g4!? 26

1 The Banker: 4 f3 f5 5 c4 30
2 The Jadoul: 4 f3 f5 5 b5+ bd7 6 c4 56
3 The Melbourne Shuffle: 4 f3 f5 5 b5+ bd7 6 c3 106
4 The Correspondence Refutation: 4 f3 f5 4 g4! 120
5 The Wuss: 4 e2 162
6 The Lusophobe: 4 b5+ bd7 5 e2! 181
7 The Elbow: 4 b5+ c6!? 196
8 The Classical: 4 f3 230

Section Two: Principled Greed 3 c4 287

9 The Icelandic Gambit: 3...e6 289
10 The Panov-Botvinnik Attack: 3...c6 320

Section Three: The Modern Treatment 3 f3 g4 344

11 The Goulash: 4 c4!? 367
12 The Celeriac: 4 e2 373
13 Charlies Choice: 4 b5+! 381
 Section Four: Check! 3 b5+ 396
14 3...d7 404
15 3...bd7 412

Section Five: Odds and Ends 1 e4 d5 424

16 2 exd5 f6 3 c3 425
17 2 c3 429
18 The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: 2 d4?! 463
19 2 e5?! 478

Postscript 481
Index of Illustrative Games 482
Index of Variations 483
 Acknowledgements
This book has been quite a mammoth undertaking, largely because I underestimated the
significance of a lack of good source material. Quite a lot of the theory has had to be devel-
oped from scratch; the positive side of this is that you are in possession of a mass of high-
calibre analysis of which your opponents are very unlikely to be aware. Nevertheless, de-
spite having only my name on the cover, there are many people I must acknowledge, with-
out whose help this book would probably not be in front of you.
Special thanks to Guy West, a lifetime gambiteer, for his very useful analysis and in-
sights on many lines; youll see his name appear several times throughout the book.
Thanks also to others for analytical comments, including Stefan Bcker, Ian Rogers, Vasil
Vasilev (and others from the ChessPublishing forum), Manuel Weeks, and the whole team
from Club Bullwinkle. Thanks to my editor John Emms for allowing me to skirt several
deadlines, and for allowing me to include his loss as an illustrative game! Thanks to Paul
Chalupa for inspiring in me a love of gambits, and a big thanks to my good friends Andrew
Fitzpatrick and Tristan Stevens for both their genial encouragement and for agreeing to be
my chess experiment guinea pigs. Finally, I cannot thank Sabina enough for her unwaver-
ing support and indispensable motivation. My appreciation for you is unbounded.

6
 Preface

Way back in 2000, my high school chess team unexpectedly qualified for the final of the
World Schools Chess Championships. This was quite an astonishing achievement for an
unassuming school from Brisbane, Australia, and even more so given that our teams
board two to six had an average rating of around 1800. As the only experienced player, it
was my job to come up with a complete opening repertoire for both colours to teach my
teammates before the final. The criteria were that it had to be narrow enough that it was
guaranteed to get my teammates into our book from the first move, easy to learn quickly,
and also tricky enough that there were decent chances our much higher-rated opponents
might fall into a fatal opening trap.
This was a tough ask for only a months preparation, but at least against 1 e4, I thought
to myself, there seemed a worthy candidate. I decided on an offbeat sideline in the Scandi-
navian that I knew as the Portuguese, starting with 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4!?. As
time was of the essence, I completed the repertoire against 1 e4 with the Icelandic Gambit
(3 c4 e6), as well as the unnamed 3 f3 g4. Before I could teach these variations to my
teammates, though, I had to learn them myself, and so I began an intense study of these
obscure gambits.
Unfortunately, our crusade in the final was unsuccessful. (Incidentally, the Norwegian
school that defeated us had just acquired a new student who, at the time, was too weak to
make the team: a certain Magnus Carlsen.) On the positive side, the preparation had in-
spired me that there was more to these so-called dubious gambits than met the eye. I was
particularly attracted to Blacks straightforward, almost barbaric strategy: sacrificing ma-
terial from move one in exchange for quick piece activity and an unshakeable pursuit of
the initiative.
After finishing high school, I started playing 1...d5 in tournament games, and in 2002 I
used it as my main weapon against 1 e4 in the World Junior (U20) Championships, with
reasonable success. As my knowledge of the lines grew, I discovered that there were dozens
of dangerous traps within the gambits, even though I had to develop most of the theory on
my own. It amazed me that I couldnt find any chess books or articles about this exciting
system; after all, who wouldnt want to play an opening that gives Black the chance to
checkmate White in under twenty moves?
Fifteen years later, surprisingly little has changed with regard to the chess literature on

7
Smerdons Scandinavian

these gambits. My own experience with them, however, has grown tremendously. I have
played almost seventy classical games and over three hundred blitz games with the open-
ing system, with a score of over 70%. But to be honest, I havent kept playing this way be-
cause of the score; rather, I just enjoy the style and the philosophy that complements these
gambits. To play such a repertoire is to declare that we play chess for fun, for the joy of the
fight, and for the beauty of wild tactics and romantic attacks. If it earns us points along the
way, so much the better.
During this time I have also come to understand that there are many other players who
share both this philosophy and the love of these gambits. After many requests, and noting
that a serious book on this opening system still didnt exist, I decided that it was time for
the theory I have developed over the years to finally reach a public audience. I thought that
this might coincide with me slowly retiring the opening from my repertoire in tournament
play, but in fact, this project turned out to be much more than just a reworking of old
analyses. During the course of writing this book, I have discovered so many new ideas and
improvements for both sides that this book has rejuvenated my enthusiasm for the gam-
bits, as I hope it does for you!

8
 Introduction

This Opening is Unsound

Make no mistake about it: from any fundamental mainstream chess perspective, the rep-
ertoire I am offering in this book should be, has to be, unsound. After all, I am proposing to
sacrifice a pawn with the black pieces on the very first move. If youre after a correct, classi-
cal repertoire with Black against 1 e4, then youd best look elsewhere.
On the other hand, if you are the sort who likes to attack no matter what the risks, if
you enjoy coffeehouse gambits and highly unorthodox tactical skirmishes, if you revel in
adventure in each game or want to unsettle your opponent and get the fight onto your
home turf from move one, then this just might be the book for you.
After 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6, we plan to certify the sacrifice on the very next move, whether
it be after 3 d4 g4, 3 f3 g4, 3 c4 e6 or even 3 b5+ bd7. In exchange for one lousy
foot soldier, Black gains a lead in development, fantastic piece activity and immediate,
dangerous attacking chances against the white king. These gambits are characterized by
brilliant sacrificial assaults and spectacular miniatures that have cast fear into the hearts
of players who sit behind the white pieces. Gradually, over the years, the theory has devel-
oped whereby a well-prepared opponent can successfully navigate the opening pitfalls, but
this system still catches out plenty of adversaries, particularly at club levels.
Moreover, even against the trusted main lines this sacrificial Scandinavian has held up
remarkably well, as my years of experience support. This book will not demonstrate the
definitive refutation of the 3...g4 system, but only because I dont know what it is. If
youre just browsing this book in order to find one shame on you! let me save you some
time by directing you to the chapter of Section One entitled The Correspondence Refuta-
tion, which is a good start. However, as you will see, it is far from simple for White to gain
an advantage even in this most testing of variations, while the perils for the first player are
very real indeed. The consequences, if White wants to try to take advantage of Blacks au-
dacity, are an early exposure to treacherous traps and insidious incursions, as well as a
precarious stumble into a mire of tactical lines with which you will be familiar, but your
opponent will most likely not.
Ive been playing this system for well over a decade now against well-prepared masters
without a convincing repudiation, which, as a practical player, is good enough for me to
keep going. Over the years, many refutations have been claimed in various texts and com-

9
Smerdons Scandinavian

mentaries, and I will address them all in this book. Some of them lead to equality, some of
them are based on tricks that are quite easily navigated, and some of them are downright
bad. Well look at all of them, and you will be well armed to face any opponent who naively
feels they deserve to smash your insolence on move one. We dont mind this aggression.
In fact, we revel in their arrogance and well use it to our advantage. As Black, we know
the terrain better than our opponents, we are better equipped to deal with the characteris-
tically unorthodox structures and, most importantly, we get to have far more fun!

This book is, above all, a practical guide. Ive written it as a complete repertoire for Black
against 1 e4, and as such I havent ignored any lines just because they are objectively infe-
rior. Instead, I have concentrated on all of the alternatives you are likely to encounter at the
board, no matter what their merit. I will regularly tell you how often you can expect to en-
counter specific variations, and which of our replies pose the most practical difficulties.
However, Ive also tried to be as honest as possible in my evaluation of the positions, and
the lines in this book have all been exhaustively checked by the strongest chess engines in
the world.
From the black side, Ive chosen the most aggressive, enjoyable and, above all, practical
variations to complete the repertoire. Often, you will be given a choice of different options
to suit your taste or workload, which means that you dont have to learn everything in this
book if you dont want to (if you are especially lazy, see How to Use This Book to find out
how you can really cut down on the amount of theory you need to learn). For example, I
have comprehensively covered both 3 c4 e6 and 3 c4 c6, but both lines are styled with a
view to Blacks most attacking options. You will also find that I have proposed strong im-
provements and new ideas for both sides in many variations; theres no point learning how
to deal with the current theory just to be blown off the board with a new move in a years
time. But the majority of the juicy new novelties in this book and there are loads of them
are for Black. Within these pages lies a treasure trove of new ideas and unplayed im-
provements just waiting to be released on an unsuspecting victim.
In composing this repertoire, my choice of variations has been guided by three funda-
mental considerations:

1) Practicality
One of the key advantages of playing this system is that most 1 e4 players have never given
these lines any detailed study. The idea that proponents of the black side know the result-
ing positions better than their opponents is one of the key weapons behind the repertoire,
and this practical edge has also guided my choice of variations. The suggested system gen-
erally leads to positions where Black has dangerous attacking chances that are very diffi-
cult to defend against over the board, or to positions where it is far easier for White to go
wrong than Black. Moreover, as Ive mentioned, you will often be able to choose between
different lines for Black to suit your situation.

10
 Introduction

2) Theoretical soundness
Playing a practical, unusual system is all well and good, but it counts for nothing if a well-
prepared opponent can blow it out of the water. To that end, I have usually steered away from
recommending the more dubious subvariations that, while being tricky and dangerous in blitz,
are refuted. Our repertoire, to the best of my extensive computer-aided analysis, is theoretically
sound in the sense that I have found no clear way for White to get anything beyond a slight
(but manageable) advantage, and only after profound accuracy. Moreover, in the very few lines
in which I have concluded that White stands marginally better, I have devoted extra attention
to the resulting positions in order to guarantee that the diligent reader can be confident of at
least securing a draw, while posing White substantial practical problems.

3) Enjoyment
Finally, when all else is equal, I have tried to remain true to the spirit of the system in choos-
ing lines that are rich in complex, unorthodox and fighting potential. Of course, if White is
staunchly dedicated to blunting every attacking opportunity we prepare, she can do so at
the cost of giving up any chance of an advantage. However, when given the choice between
two options of relatively equal merit, I usually opt against safe, passive equality in favour of
double-edged murkiness with counter-attacking chances for both sides.

Before we get into the best way to make use of this book, lets break up the chatter with
some real chess to give you a feel for why I and so many other devotees are addicted to this
opening system. I have chosen three inspirational games to get you started on your jour-
ney. The first two were of great historical importance to the development of the repertoire,
while the final game gives a sense of the modern interpretation.

Inspirational Game #1
For many people, this opening is known as the Portuguese, a misnomer that is a little un-
fair to earlier exponents of the gambit, in particular the Belgium IM Michel Jadoul. Never-
theless, the legend behind the misnaming is quite captivating. In 1996, Portugal and China
met for a round-robin match in Macao. On the Portuguese side of things was the creative
IM Rui Damaso, who was drawn to play with Black against two of Chinas strong grand-
masters. The following game was played in round three, in which Damaso unleashed the
outrageous 3...g4!? and earned a brilliant tactical victory against his fancied opponent.
The story goes that the Chinese team spent the next few days studying this crazy new
opening, eventually concluding that such a cheeky, unprincipled concept should be simply
met by taking all of Blacks proffered material. In round seven, GM Zili Wang confidently
confronted Damasos 3...g4 with 4 f4 f5 5 c4 (the Banker) ...and was duly checkmated
in only thirteen moves!
With all credit to Jadoul for inventing the opening, the following game is of great his-
torical importance, as the inspirational way in which Black conducts the attack ignited
what could be called the modern wave of popularity for 3...g4.

11
Smerdons Scandinavian

Ye Jiangchuan-R.Damaso
China-Portugal match, Macao 1996

1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4 4 e2
The Wuss, a solid but unambitious variation that you are likely to encounter quite of-
ten in practice.
A few days later, the aforementioned infamous miniature continued with the greedy 4
f3 f5 5 c4. It would make an interesting trivia question to find out whether a grandmas-
ter has ever been checkmated in fewer moves and playing with White, no less! The game
continued 5...e6 6 dxe6 c6 7 e3 b4+ (7...e7 is more accurate, as we shall see) 8 c3
e7 9 d5 0-0-0 10 a4?
W________W
[WDk4WDW4]
[0p0W1p0p]
[WDnDPhWD]
[DWDPDbDW]
[QgPDWDWD]
[DWHWGPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$WDWIBHR]
W--------W
10...xd5!! (Boom!) 11 cxd5 h4+ 12 d1 (12 g3 xc3+ wins the queen via a deadly
discovered attack; 12 e2 d4+!! 13 xd4 xd4 14 d1 e5+ 15 e4 xe4 16 xb4
c2+ wins in a more prosaic fashion) 12...xd5+!! 13 xd5 (sportingly allowing a fitting
finale) 13...e1 mate, Wang Zili-R.Damaso, Macao 1996.
4...xe2 5 xe2 xd5 6 f3 e6 7 0-0
7 c4! is the only genuine try for an advantage in this variation.
7...d6 8 c4 h5!
Threatening ...xh2+.
9 c3 c6 10 h3 0-0-0!

12
 Introduction

W________W
[WDk4WDW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDngphWD]
[DWDWDWDq]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWHWDNDP]
[P)WDQ)PD]
[$WGWDRIW]
W--------W
Opposite-sided castling is a feature of the Wuss variation and also the best way for
Black to liven up proceedings. The game now turns into an attacking race, and Black al-
ready has running shoes on.
11 e3 g5!?
Points for attitude, though objectively Black should have first prepared this by ...hg8,
with excellent chances. I can only imagine Whites reaction to this second outrageous
pawn sacrifice in the first eleven moves of the game.
12 xg5 g6 13 f3?!
13 f3! hg8 14 h4 g7 gives Black a dangerous initiative on the kingside, but White
should have chanced this defensive approach.
13...b4! 14 fd1?
Blacks courage is rewarded. Better was 14 ce4! e7! with excellent compensation for
Black.
W________W
[WDk4WDW4]
[0p0WDpDp]
[WDnDphqD]
[DWDWDWHW]
[WgP)WDWD]
[DWHWGQDP]
[P)WDW)PD]
[$WDRDWIW]
W--------W
13
Smerdons Scandinavian

14...xc3 15 bxc3 h6!

Suddenly, Whites knight is short of squares.
16 d5 e5 17 e2 hxg5 18 xa7 f5 19 ab1
W________W
[WDk4WDW4]
[Gp0WDpDW]
[WDWDphWD]
[DWDPhq0W]
[WDPDWDWD]
[DW)WDWDP]
[PDWDQ)PD]
[DRDRDWIW]
W--------W
19...e4
Already winning on material, Damaso could have crowned his historic outing for
3...g4 appropriately with the explosive 19...xh3!! 20 gxh3 h8! with an unparryable at-
tack.
20 d4 g4! 21 b2 b6 22 a3 gxh3 23 xb6 f3+ 24 f1
Or 24 gxf3 h2+ 25 g2 h3+ 26 h1 xf3 mate.
24...hxg2+ 25 e2
W________W
[WDk4WDW4]
[DW0WDpDW]
[WGWDpDWD]
[DWDPDqDW]
[WDPDnDWD]
[!W)WDnDW]
[PDWDK)pD]
[DRDRDWDW]
W--------W
25...g3+!
These knights have had quite a day out. And one of them will soon produce a rather un-
expected reincarnation...

14
 Introduction

26 fxg3 e4+ 27 e3 g1+!!

Hes back!
28 f1 xc4+ 29 g2 h2 mate
Perhaps now you can appreciate why this game is credited with sparking the 3...g4
craze!

Inspirational Game #2
This was one of the first classic victories from the dangerous Icelandic (or Palme) Gambit,
after which both the opening and its talented English proponent earned a deservedly dan-
gerous reputation.

M.Kuijf-J.M.Hodgson
Wijk aan Zee 1989

1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 c4 e6!
The start of the gambit.
4 dxe6 xe6
W________W
[rhW1kgW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDWDbhWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[WDPDWDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)W)W)P)]
[$NGQIBHR]
W--------W
5 d4?!
The most natural move, but not the best. White underestimates the speed at which the
black forces will develop.
5 f3 is the main line, after which I recommend Black continue 5...e7! 6 e2 c6 7 d4
f5! with excellent compensation.
5...b4+ 6 d2
6 c3 e4! is also uncomfortable for White.
6...e7 7 xb4
White should have preferred returning the pawn with the tamer 7 e2, although pre-

15
Smerdons Scandinavian

sumably he was still out to punish Black for such impudence in the opening. Then 7...e4 8
f3 xd2 9 bxd2 xc4 is equal.
7...xb4+ 8 d2
8 d2?! c6! 9 d5 (or 9 gf3? 0-0-0 10 d5 xd5! and wins) 9...0-0-0! leaves Black with
an incredibly strong attack.
8...c6
W________W
[rDWDkDW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDnDbhWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[W1P)WDWD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)W!W)P)]
[$NDWIBHR]
W--------W
9 c3?
Whites only chance was to walk the tightrope with 9 d5 0-0-0! 10 c3!, when Black can
unleash the powerful novelty 10...e5!!, after which White remains in big trouble.
9...0-0-0!?
Here 9...xc4! was simple and strong, when Black has a clear advantage. However,
Hodgson is known for hunting the big game, and simply regathering the pawn wasnt on
his radar.
10 d5 g4
The bishop finds its way to our favourite square after all, preparing to bring the final
rook into the attack along the e-file. While the text is objectively not the best, it certainly
presents White with the most opportunities to go wrong. As we saw in the note to Whites
eighth move, 10...e5!! is a valuable and unplayed improvement.
11 f3 he8+ 12 e2 f5 13 0-0-0!
The only chance, although Whites king remains desperately short of air.
13...a5

16
 Introduction

W________W
[WDk4rDWD]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDWDWhWD]
[hWDPDbDW]
[W1PDWDWD]
[DWHWDPDW]
[P)W!BDP)]
[DWIRDWHR]
W--------W
The black pieces create a menacing force around the white queenside. Several threats
are in the air, including the cute ...b3, followed by ...xa2 and ...b3 mate.
14 g4?!
14 b5? loses brilliantly to 14...xe2!! 15 xe2 (or 15 xb4 c2+ 16 b1 xc4+)
15...xc4+ 16 c3 xb5 17 d4 xd5 with a decisive material advantage.
14 b3! was Whites only hope. Despite an imposing position, its not clear how Black can
break down Whites defences, although 14...c6!? is probably a good place to start.
14...g6?!
14...xc4! 15 xc4 xc4 16 gxf5 xd5! was the clearest route, threatening the deadly
...e3. It requires some deep and precise calculation, but there arent many branches to
consider. After the forced 17 d4 c6 18 a4, Black can simply swap down to a winning
endgame with 18...xc3 19 xd8+ xd8! 20 xc6 xa2+ 21 b1 e1+ 22 xa2 bxc6.
W________W
[WDWiWDWD]
[0W0WDp0p]
[WDpDWDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[WDWDWDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[K)WDWDW)]
[DWDW4WHR]
W--------W
Despite having an extra piece, Whites forces are completely helpless. Black is winning.

17
Smerdons Scandinavian

15 h3?!
15 b3! was again Whites only resource, after which 15...c6! is unclear.
15...d7?!
Another inaccuracy, but one can certainly understand the cute idea that tempted
Hodgson into this relocation. 15...xc4 is clearly better for Black.
16 b1??
16 e4! was the only try, blocking off the sharp-shooting black bishop, when White has
good chances to escape the onslaught.
W________W
[WDk4rDWD]
[0p0nDp0p]
[WDWDWDbD]
[hWDPDWDW]
[W1PDWDPD]
[DWDWDPDN]
[P)W!BDW)]
[DNIRDWDR]
W--------W
16...b3!
Very nice. Its all over.
17 d3 xa2! 18 b4 e2! 19 xe2 b3+ 20 xb3 xb3 21 d2 e3 0-1

Inspirational Game #3
In recent years, the popularity of 3...g4 has waned at top levels, so much so that only two
grandmasters still regularly play this opening with the black pieces. Youre listening to one
of them, and the other is the talented Filipino GM Darwin Laylo. The following is a good
example of his uncompromising handling of our favourite weapon.

K.Goh Wei Ming-D.Laylo

Manila 2008

1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4!?
Usually this move is at least a mild surprise to White, although Laylo is something of a
3...g4 devotee.
4 f3!
Kevin, a noted theoretician, plays in the most principled fashion. If Black decides to

18
 Chapter One
The Banker

Introduction
1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4 4 f3 f5 5 c4
W________W
[rhW1kgW4]
[0p0W0p0p]
[WDWDWhWD]
[DWDPDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NGQIBHR]
W--------W
This is the most natural and (at first glance) critical continuation, securing the extra
pawn on d5. However, for her troubles, White is falling dangerously behind in develop-
ment. Play now becomes extremely sharp, with excellent chances for Black to execute daz-
zling checkmates and score brilliant victories without White ever escaping the opening.
5...e6!
Continuing to develop. This chapter will analyse the greedy 6 dxe6, Whites most popu-
lar move, which I have thus christened the Banker. It will also consider Whites other al-
ternatives, none of which should worry us to any great extent.
6 dxe6 c6!

30
 The Banker

W________W
[rDW1kgW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDnDPhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NGQIBHR]
W--------W
A lovely move to play. Black offers yet another pawn, as well as volunteering to give up
the right to castle, all in the name of rapid, targeted piece development. Should White cap-
ture on f7 (now, or on the next move), Blacks pieces will spring into action to optimal loca-
tions. Typically, Black will endeavour to put a rook on e8 as soon as possible (either after
...b4 or ...e7), after which she can immediately look for tactics. The c6-knight has a natu-
ral route into Whites position via b4, where it eyes d3 and c2, but quite often it can instead
sacrifice itself on d4 to allow for a quick ...c5. Blacks queen will usually find herself on e7
for a lethal doubling on the e-file, though occasionally she causes havoc on other squares
on the d8-h4 diagonal. As for our knight on f6 always be on the lookout for ...g4 ideas!
White will almost certainly be forced to play e3 (to guard d4) and f2 (to diffuse the
pressure on the e-file) at some point. We will typically answer this with an explosive ...xe3
sacrifice, the key theme for the Banker variation. This is usually followed up with either an
immediate ...xd4, or else doubling on the e-file. In fact, as a general rule of thumb, ...xe3
is almost always the right move when it is available, even if you cannot see an immediate
forced win. Whites dark squares, critically weakened by both the pawn on f3 and the loss
of her queens bishop, will be ripe for exploitation.
This has to be one of the most enjoyable variations of the Scandinavian for Black to get
at the board, and its not surprising that the statistics are heavily weighted in Blacks fa-
vour. But before we examine the theory, lets have a look at how easy it is for an unsuspect-
ing opponent to get into trouble with the white pieces in this deliciously exciting variation.

Game 1
C.Onyekwere-D.Smerdon
Internet (blitz) 2013

Yes, this is only an online blitz game, but it gives a very good illustration of the pitfalls

31
Smerdons Scandinavian

awaiting White in the Banker. My opponent, one of Nigerias strongest players, is certainly
no patzer, and yet, the hazards of our favourite opening proved deadly in under twenty
moves.
1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4 4 f3 f5 5 c4 e6
W________W
[rhW1kgW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDWDphWD]
[DWDPDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NGQIBHR]
W--------W
Whites scepticism of our unprincipled gambit can often inspire a strategy of greedily
going for the maximum after all, a pawn is a pawn, right? But to do this entails making
five pawn moves in a row and usually at least one more by 6 dxe6. The loss of time, com-
bined with the weaknesses created by 4 f3, gives us all the justification we need to launch
an immediate assault on Whites position. Its not surprising that Blacks score in practice
is extremely impressive.
6 dxe6
In for a penny, in for a pound. Having weakened the kingside, White has no real choice
but to carry on and at least grab some material.
Instead:
a) 6 g4? is an unfortunate attempt to transpose into the Correspondence Refutation, but
it really doesnt work here: 6...xg4!! 7 fxg4 h4+ 8 d2 (8 e2?? xg4+ 9 f3 xf3+ 10
xf3 h5+ wins the queen) 8...e4 9 f3 f2+ and Black is clearly better.
b) 6 c3 exd5 7 g4 e6! is very promising for Black.
c) 6 b3?! exd5! 7 xb7 bd7 8 c5

32
 The Banker

W________W
[rDW1kgW4]
[0Q0nDp0p]
[WDWDWhWD]
[DW)pDbDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NGWIBHR]
W--------W
8...xc5! gives Black a decisive attack. For example, 9 dxc5 b8!! 10 xa7 0-0 11 a3
e7+ 12 e2 xc5! and Whites king will not survive much longer, because 13 f2 xb1!
14 xb1 ce4+! leads to a winning endgame for Black.
6...c6!
W________W
[rDW1kgW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDnDPhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NGQIBHR]
W--------W
This is the position that inspired me, and Im sure many other club players, to take up
the Portuguese. Black shows a complete disregard for material, initiating this double pawn
sacrifice to prioritize rapid development. Engines already evaluate our compensation as
being completely sufficient, Black has a tremendous score in practical play, and youre ac-
tually likely to get it about once in every 25 outings against 1 e4. Furthermore, its incredi-
bly fun to play. Need I say more?
7 exf7+
Taking greediness to a whole new level.
7...xf7 8 e3?

33
Smerdons Scandinavian

As often happens in this variation, a seemingly natural developing move for White can
equal an immediate loss.
8...b4+
W________W
[rDW1WDW4]
[0p0WDk0p]
[WDnDWhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WgP)WDWD]
[DWDWGPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NDQIBHR]
W--------W
9 f2
9 c3 is best, but still losing: 9...e8 10 f2 (or 10 d2 xd4! and Whites position col-
lapses) 10...xe3!! (the standard treatment) 11 xe3
W________W
[rDW1WDWD]
[0p0WDk0p]
[WDnDWhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WgP)WDWD]
[DWHWIPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$WDQDBHR]
W--------W
11...c2!! (the strongest and definitely the prettiest, but its worth noting the two other
ways Black could win, as they represent common tactical motifs for this variation:
11...e7+ 12 f2 xd4! 13 xd4 c5 wins the queen; and 11...xd4 12 xd4 e7+ 13
d2 d8 is another way to pick up the dame) 12 d2 g4+!! 13 fxg4 (or 13 f4 d6+ 14
xg4 f5+! 15 xf5 h4 and mate in two) 13...g5+ 0-1 Ge.Sergeev-D.Saulin, Tula 2005.
9...e8 10 a3
Or 10 e2 xe3!! (you should be getting used to this by now!) 11 xe3 e7+ (11...xd4

34
 The Banker

and 11...e5!? also win) 12 f2 e8 13 b3

W________W
[WDWDrDWD]
[0p0W1k0p]
[WDnDWhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WgP)WDWD]
[DQDWDPDW]
[P)WDNIP)]
[$NDWDBDR]
W--------W
13...xd4! 14 xd4 e1+ 15 g1 c5 and mate in nine more moves.
10...xe3! 11 xe3
11 axb4 d3!! finishes the game.
W________W
[rDW1WDWD]
[0p0WDk0p]
[WDnDWhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WgP)WDWD]
[)WDWIPDW]
[W)WDWDP)]
[$NDQDBHR]
W--------W
11...e7+?
Black had a choice of attractive wins; I failed to find the most convincing continuation.
11...e1!!, delivering mate in 18 (!), was definitely the most aesthetic finisher. Just gor-
geous. 11...xd4 and 11...c5 would also win swiftly.
12 f2 e8 13 g3?
13 e2! would make Blacks conversion attempts somewhat problematic, although the
attack is still very powerful.
13...e3+ 14 g2 e1!!

35
Smerdons Scandinavian

W________W
[WDWDrDWD]
[0p0WDk0p]
[WDnDWhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[)WDW1P)W]
[W)WDWDK)]
[$NDQgBHR]
W--------W
Another common theme to remember.
15 h3 xd4 16 c3 xf3! 17 e2 h4+ 0-1
Mate follows.

Game 2
L.Dworakowski-A.Moll
Groningen 1997

This game is one of early classics of 3...g4, back in the days when White was often
taken completely unawares by Blacks system. Here the white player, over 200 points
stronger than his opponent, decides to refute Blacks opening by taking all of the offered
gifts. I bet you can guess how that turned out...
1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4 4 f3 f5 5 c4 e6 6 dxe6 c6 7 e3!
Much better.
In addition to the suicidal 7 exf7+? (as in the previous game), White often tries 7 d5?.
However, after 7...b4 8 a3 fxe6, Black is already clearly better. For example, 9 d2 exd5
10 a4+ d7 11 b3 e7+! 12 f2 0-0-0 13 e1 c5+ 14 e3 d4! and White only lasted a
few more moves in MickMagpie (2313)-D.Smerdon, Internet 2014.
7...e7!

36
 The Banker

W________W
[rDWDkgW4]
[0p0W1p0p]
[WDnDPhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWGPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NDQIBHR]
W--------W
Not as popular as 7...b4+, but definitely better. Blacks queen takes aim at Whites
king along the dangerous, soon-to-be-opened e-file.
8 exf7+
8 c3 0-0-0! also gives Black a handy initiative. One blitz game I played just a few weeks
before finishing this book continued 9 ge2? (an obvious developing move, but, as so of-
ten in this opening, White can find that the natural move can easily be a serious mistake; 9
d2 is a better try, though Black retains a dangerous initiative after 9...b4! 10 0-0-0
xe6; e.g. 11 a3?? c2 12 f2 a1!, winning) 9...b4! 10 g3 c2+ 11 f2 g6 12 c1
xe3 13 xe3 xe6+ 14 f2 c5! 15 ge2 he8 16 d2
W________W
[WDk4rDWD]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDWDqhbD]
[DWgWDWDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWHWDPDW]
[P)W!NIP)]
[DW$WDBDR]
W--------W
16...g4+!! (an easy move to play, even in blitz the position is just calling out for this
sacrifice) 17 fxg4 f6+ 18 e1 xd4! 19 d5 h4+ 20 g3 xg4 21 a5 xd5! and Black
soon won in Jartorio (2298)-D.Smerdon, Internet 2015.
8...xf7 9 f2 e8 10 d2 d7!

37
Smerdons Scandinavian

W________W
[WDWDrgW4]
[0p0qDk0p]
[WDnDWhWD]
[DWDWDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWGPDW]
[P)W!WIP)]
[$NDWDBHR]
W--------W
A key move. Blacks queen has done an excellent job, causing far more mischief than the
temporary inconvenience to her own kingside. Nevertheless, now is the time to make room
for the bishop and rooks to join the attack. Black is all set to unleash the typical motif
...xe3 and ...xd4.
11 c3
The novelty 11 c5! is best, though 11...xe3! 12 xe3 xd4 13 c4+ e6! still gives
Black a very dangerous attack for the material.
11...xe3!!
Of course!
12 xe3 c5
Admirable, but not best. 12...g6! 13 f2 xd4 was crushing.
13 dxc5 g4+!
W________W
[WDWDWDW4]
[0p0qDk0p]
[WDnDWDWD]
[DW)WDbDW]
[WDPDWDnD]
[DWHWIPDW]
[P)W!WDP)]
[$WDWDBHR]
W--------W
Every black move is with tempo, a feature of this opening. White is never given a mo-

38
 The Banker

ments rest to develop.

14 e2
14 fxg4?? e8+ wins the queen.
14...e6+?
14...e7+! 15 e4 (15 d1?? e3+ 16 c1 xf1 is winning) 15...d8 would force White
to find 16 f4! d4+ 17 e1 c2+ 18 e2 and the game should end in a draw.
15 d1 e3+ 16 c1
Already Whites fifth king move!
16...d8
16...xf1?? 17 h3! is why 14...e7! was preferable.
17 d5 xf1 18 e2?
White buckles under the pressure. Again 18 h3!! is a lovely winning shot. But alas,
now the white king is in mortal danger.
18...h6+! 19 f4
W________W
[WDW4WDWD]
[0p0WDk0p]
[WDnDWDW1]
[DW)NDbDW]
[WDPDW)WD]
[DWDWDWDW]
[P)WDQDP)]
[$WIWDnHR]
W--------W
19...xd5!!
Another cracking sacrifice, ripping away Whites last defensive bastion.
20 xf1
Or 20 cxd5 xf4+ 21 d1 e3+ and its all over.
20...d4! 21 e2 xc4+
21...e6! wins on the spot and would have been a fitting end to a highly energetic per-
formance. Instead, the ratings of the players begin to show (Black was only 2115) and the
game takes a few entertaining twists and turns, before Black eventually walks away with a
well-earned victory.
22 d1 g4 23 h3 d4+?!
23...xf4! was still winning.
24 e1 xe2 25 xe2 g6 26 f5?
White collapses. Black had let his opponent off the hook somewhat, and now 26 f2!

39
Smerdons Scandinavian

would have even given White the better of things.

26...g3+ 27 f1 f4+ 28 g1 d4! 29 h5+ f8 30 f1 h4?
30...e4! and 31...e2+ wins quickly.
31 d1 e4 32 f2 e1+ 33 xe1 f3+ 34 f1??
34 xf3! is unclear, after all of that!
34...xe1 35 xe1 e3+ 36 e2 c1+ 0-1
A fitting final result to an inspiring performance by Black, despite a rollercoaster of mu-
tual errors along the way.

With that, we move into our first Theory section. About two-thirds of this book is made
up of theory, but remember that I have written the chapter introductions and illustrative
games to be enough by themselves to give you all the essential knowledge about each
variation in order to get you started. If this is your first read-through, you may wish to skip
ahead to the next part of the mini-book: the introduction to Chapter 2.

Theory
1 e4 d5 2 exd5 f6 3 d4 g4 4 f3 f5 5 c4 e6!
W________W
[rhW1kgW4]
[0p0WDp0p]
[WDWDphWD]
[DWDPDbDW]
[WDP)WDWD]
[DWDWDPDW]
[P)WDWDP)]
[$NGQIBHR]
W--------W
Capturing on e6 is the most popular move by an overwhelming margin, but in my opin-
ion it is already a mistake: White will have to walk a tightrope of tactics just to stay alive.
This is Whites last chance to try to bail out with the rare 6 c3!? (played roughly 5% of the
time, according to my database), though here, too, life is hardly peaceful for the white
monarch.
6 dxe6
Other moves:
a) 6 g4? xg4! is an immediate disaster. After 7 fxg4 h4+ 8 d2 (not 8 e2?? xg4+ 9
f3 xf3+ 10 xf3 h5+, winning the white queen) 8...e4! 9 f3 f2+!, Black regains all
of the sacrificed material, while keeping her other advantages.

40