Refute The Scandi!
A deadly weapon vs the Scandinavian based on an early Bd2! idea
Summer is officially tournament season for adult improvers. And if you play in the US, there is no bigger gauntlet than the World Open in July.
I’ve played the World Open at least a dozen times. My very first one was back in 1995, where I managed to win the Expert section. The very next year, after working with my new coach, GM Roman Dzindzichashvili, I found myself playing the top boards in the Open section, ultimately losing a tough last-round battle with Black against GM Alex Yermolinsky.
I know firsthand how grueling these massive summer Swiss tournaments can be. If you are preparing for your own tournament schedule right now, you need to plug the annoying leaks in your repertoire.
One of the most frustrating openings for 1.e4 players? The Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5).
Popularized heavily online by my friend IM John Bartholomew, the Scandi is the ultimate “lazy” weapon for Black. Your opponent is trying to drag you into a dry, solid structure where they know the plans and you don’t.
If you aren’t prepared for it, you will burn 20 minutes on the clock by move 10 just trying to figure out where your pieces belong.
Against the Scandi, I want to show you a cool idea based on the early Bd2 setup: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd2!
This bishop move is very natural as we break the pin and prepare a timely discovery with the knight. Black’s popular moves are: 5…Bf5, 5….c6, and 5…Bg4.
I have covered them in great detail in my upcoming Chessable 1.e4 course, and also present them to you in the video below. (Members can download the PGN from the Openings Vault).
When you upgrade to a paid membership, you get instant access to:
The 1.e4 Traps PGN. Paid members get early access to the PGN file for the most common traps from my Upcoming 1.e4 Chessable course right now in the Openings Vault.
The 2026 Tournament Starter Kit: My complete “Old Man” repertoire (Catalan, Jobava London, Hyper-Accelerated Dragon, Nimzo-Indian) designed to be learned in just 40 minutes, featuring full video lessons and PGNs.
The Openings Vault: The Scandi Bd2 PGN as well as the permanent library of “Gambit Killers” to help you stop falling for common club-level traps.
I’m playing in the World Open this year. Super excited!!
I enjoy these little snippets because it sounds like your e4 course is going to be similar to what I already play with some little differences. I’ve been playing Nf3 and then Bd2 in the Scandi. But Bd2 first makes sense too.