Crush the Scandinavian Defense in 8 Moves! [TRAPS for White]

Learn 3 Main Ways To Improve Your Chess Results Significantly
FREE Masterclass ► chess-teacher.com/masterclass
Take Your Chess Skills To The Next Level With High-Quality Courses
Learn here ► online.chess-teacher.com/
💰💲 Join the RCA Affiliate Program, promote our courses, and get 50% commission - chess-teacher.com/partnership/
📥 Download the PGN of this gambit from the Scandinavian Defense from this blog-post - chess-teacher.com/crush-the-s...
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov will teach you how to crush the Scandinavian Defense as White in just 8 moves! On top of that, he gives a complete overview of this opening gambit which happens after the following moves: 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.b4.
White sacrifices the b-pawn for a quick development and sharp attack. It comes with some really nice traps that most chess players fall into. You will also learn how to outsmart and crush your opponents who are aware of the trap and don't fall for it.
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 Crush the Scandinavian Defense in 8 Moves!
00:41 Aggressive Gambit 4.b4
02:29 If your opponent falls for the deadly trap
05:10 DON'T make this mistake!
07:03 If your opponent is aware of the Bxf7+ trap
09:06 Funny trick: if Black plays a6 to kick Nb5
09:40 Black's best defense against the gambit
11:08 Brilliant tactical combination!
📗 Free chess courses - chess-teacher.com/rca-freebies/
💡 Premium chess courses - online.chess-teacher.com/
#GMSmirnov #ScandinavianDefense #OpeningTraps #ChessOpenings #ChessGambit

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡 Register to GM Igor Smirnov's FREE Masterclass "The Best Way to Improve at Chess INSTANTLY" - chess-teacher.com/masterclass 💲 Join the RCA Affiliate Program, promote our courses, and get 50% commission - chess-teacher.com/partnership/

[@maritesesmael1917]

Ex

[@letshack05]

Sir you missed one variation if the opponent plays e6 after bishop c4! I guess after that the whole moves will be wasted.

[@Justin-ob3nm]

E4 check after pawn gambit. How would you play this? Happens often and ruins my position 🤷

[@anuragkumar-kq1sf]

I tried this against Niemann and the game spoke for itself

[@confirmjanati]

😂

[@kearabetsoekea1681]

😂🤣

[@gangsterfloor2135]

hahaaahahah

[@israelquimson831]

Lol😂

[@MegaHakim1999]

It's obvious that Nf3 wasn't the move cause Bf6 is better without going too deep into the variation

[@DelayedLaunch]

I swear, just this morning I woke up and thought exactly this: “Crush the Scandinavian, I wonder if Igor has a video…” and now this. Same wavelength! Thanks for posting this!

[@joseangel1119]

Same here no cap

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Wtf

[@sachinraheja13]

Get a life dude 😂😂😂

[@wisppppp]

LOL@@jestfullgremblim8002

[@Chess-Online]

Your videos have helped me a lot in improving my game, although I am just a casual player, not a professional like you. The way you explain things is both enjoyable and very easy to grasp.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to know! Glad you found it enjoyable.

[@aaronwalderslade]

A fine lesson as usual. I love when my opponent plays this opening against me. I usually win the game, and often win their Queen. There are often opportunities against club level opponents to reveal bishop attacks against the Queen. Make sure you set up a good story for why the pawn or piece is desperately moving, and this will help distract the opponent from looking at his Queen.

[@anirudhsingh7200]

Bro what if queen go on c5 in move 5 and if bishop attacks it go on b6 now trap won't work ??? Or is there any other way ??

[@snakk4971]

You didn't cover Na6. First thing an opponent played against me and I got crushed. It's the move with the highest WR for black, so would be nice if you covered it. Other than that thanks for the good content 👍

[@weiser1971]

Same I just got beat badly with Na6

[@cookedonafeeling]

You're the best chess teacher on KZbin.. thank you for everything! It's been so fun learning lines like this for the first time in my life - this video and how to crush scholars mate attacks have actually enabled me to play blitz. I watch 3 or 4 times then practice each variation.. seeing such amazing results

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🥳

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Crush the Scandinavian Defense in 8 Moves! 00:41 Aggressive Gambit 4.b4 02:29 If your opponent falls for the deadly trap 05:10 DON'T make this mistake! 07:03 If your opponent is aware of the Bxf7+ trap 09:06 Funny trick: if Black plays a6 to kick Nb5 09:40 Black's best defense against the gambit 11:08 Brilliant tactical combination!

[@Dudemar0]

At 12:57, can't the opponent just block with the bishop?

[@ethanxian8280]

But then the knight takes the queen which is a discovered check on the king because of the rook, and when the king captures the knight, the queen takes the bishop

[@Oberoy248]

At 1:51, don't we have Qe4+ for black?

[@Catlover80128]

What if he just puts Queen C5 instead of A5? 1:54

[@ronaldnovela1736]

Preparing for my school chess tournament this is very helpful thank you sir.

[@robertmcqueen5122]

Really enjoyed that and have learned a lot from your channel. I've been telling my friends about this.

[@FalseGod.]

In the beginning of the gambit if you go knight b5 1:36 and they go knight a6 to protect, is the gambit lost? How do you get rid of that night that’s always protecting the forking square for king and rook plus queen is aligned with knight so no opp for any traps it seems

[@abdelhamidmekhnache9409]

A very interesting and instructive video! Thank igor.

[@namangandhi8519]

I play the Scandinavian a lot, and it would be really helpful if you made a video on how to avoid this trap. Thanks a lot for this video. Super informative!!

[@jestes7]

Just move your queen to a different square no? That’s what the whole trap is based on

[@andrewcrane5105]

I love that you always have a video for both the white and black piece, I just watched the video on the Scandinavian so I figure let's learn how to crush the Scandinavian lol

[@robertyoung9602]

You're a great teacher. Thank you; much respect!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I appreciate that!

[@chingyincheng5046]

Great vid! Explained the traps clearly!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks!

[@Shibshankar_Roy]

This is something that i have been looking for a month.. If there was anything more than doing subscribing i would od that😍😍😍😍

[@eldo007d2]

Thanks for the traps and everything Igor i played it in a pro chess tournament.

[@antoniomontana5778]

Excellent video!! You do an awesome job explaining moves and strategy, you sir, are a rock star. Thank you.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Martin-vx7sm]

you are the best chess youtuber i just played this trap and it worked thank you very much

[@chilakashalemraju3668]

Really amazing.Thank you

[@TawhidAnam]

AMAZING! A LOT OF FUN. YOU ARE REAL GAMBIT MASTER !! SALUTE AND PRAY FOR YOU.THANKS

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you!

[@robertyoung9602]

Great 👍 .caro-Kann Defense video please. Thanks

[@DavidBergeron87]

4:58 It looks as though trading 3 minor pieces for the queen which usually is losing: after Bd6, Kxd6, QxA5, b6, it looks like the knight is not protected and also the queen is under attack as well but there is a resource here, Ne8+, Kd7 and then Qe5 protecting the knight and attacking the rook in the corner.

[@alejandroayalamaldonado2817]

Excelente.!!! Gracias.!!!

[@hhcurieux]

How do you evaluate the position after 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Nf3 a6 ? In my mind, after only 7 moves Black is already better. Far from crushing the Scandinavian defense. I have an old book by J Du Mont (1919) About the Mieses gambit he wrote than a timely ...a6 is a key move for black.

[@Michael49637]

Black i better stockfish -1.65!

[@kokohbagaitebing7565]

Early in the morning, learn to Great lesson from Mr. GM. Igor Smirnov.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@sumantakumardutta986]

Thank you so very much for this video 🙏🔥❤️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@teddymagcawas1332]

Coach is always coach..and they smile when they plays with grandmasters,they teach each others win or lose.😊

[@buldysk1537]

Hi Igor, love your videos.

[@kariukikiragu]

Great teacher and entertaining too...

[@keysersoze9592]

Below a 1000 blcks next move after pawn takes is always to give a check. 99% of the time

[@cmannion14]

Brilliant vids. Thanks,

[@Creapieo]

As a scandinavian player, I have to say I never encountered this since my second move is always Nf6, which leads to different variations all being very sharp, and most of the time it's white that has to be careful.

[@sepehrariyaee1161]

thank you so much for this video....🌹🌹🌹

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Most welcome 😊

[@Mehrdad100]

Nice trap. but Black is not crushed in case knowing after 7-Nf3 the reliable options 7-...a6 or 7-...e6. Letting Bc8 staying at home (on c8) , pushing back Nb5 and devolop gradually an safely is possible according to computer analysis. But definitely a dangerous trap if black has not studied these lines.

[@paulkindervater842]

Fantastic content. Can’t wait to use it. I love to PUNISH !!!

[@AlessandroOrlandi83]

I love those traps. The only problem is that when I play it they never do what I want them to do and I end up losing. :) I still love to know the idea.

[@emacsultron6212]

Exactly. Ths next move for the Queen is almost always Queen giving a check to the king

[@Mr4512hkj]

If after Nb5 they give a check you just block with Be2 and gain extra development advantage. Position is already about equal despite being down a pawn.

[@paulkindervater842]

If they don’t do what you want them to do just continue with standard development.

[@markcarter3604]

Great video! Does anyone have a link to practice this?

[@aaronwalderslade]

GM I cannot find your video where you reply to D4 with Nf3 and create loads of great traps

[@newyorkslim2001]

These videos are great.

[@rolfadeborg1184]

First time I tried he played Nf6 after b4. (2 min game). So game over. He was not a bad player, just surprised

[@joeljackart]

Great content as usual! Thank you!

[@xxwallzxx4509]

It's a 50/50 set up situation. Where they are placed into a situation they are dealt with forcing or choosing to lose a piece. I am a noob btw. But am also noticing that is a thing in Chess. Well.. One of many things. Thanks for the vid. 😋

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

I watch this vid cause my dad keep doing it. And I don't know how to deal with it

[@peterf90]

Not a good idea to play Igor for money. This man knows his chess big time. Great video!

[@mattlane7759]

Don't understand why the Queen checks at the end. Black just attacks the Queen with his bishop

[@TheMosayat]

because after Bf5, when you go Nxc7 there's a discovered check because of the Rook on e1. So the best black can do is grab the Knight with his King but then the Queen takes the Bishop and is safe.

[@jwz4794]

There is no Nxc7

[@bluex610]

@@jwz4794 yup he meant Nxd7

[@benmilner2091]

But then kt takes qren double check. The king moves and the queen pick up the Bishop too

[@niznwnw6091]

Did you forget your rook on e1 buddy?

[@davidwendell6471]

Thank you for a great video! I tried this on Stockfish 4 and it keeps moving Qc5+ ... what then?

[@TheDitronik]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 { B01 Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation } 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bd3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Bf4 Nc6 9. Qe2 a6 10. O-O-O Nh5 11. Be4 Qe7 12. Bg5 Nf6 13. Bxc6+ bxc6 14. Ne4 Bb6 15. Ne5 Bb7 16. Qf3 1-0

[@Samthebritishgent]

Hello there I just thought I’d ask you something I think I’ve made a new opening sequence to a game and I wondered if I should name it or Not

[@ireneuszhomenda8576]

you are the boss!!!

[@therealsilentyoru]

It has a gambit, right? Starting with e4, d5, Kf3, then d5 pawn takes the e4 pawn. Then Kg5, targeting the pawn. Then Kf6, d3, if the pawn takes d3, attack with Bd3. If the h6 pawn wants to attack the knight, why not sacrifice Kxf7, then King takes, after then, Bg6 and after King takes, Qxd8.

[@alexhodl1018]

what do you do if black moves the knight at a6 protecting the c pawn instead of the queen?

[@callumphillips8197]

Just ran into this exact problem! After this and the inevitable kick from the C7 pawn, black seems to be on the backfoot.

[@AakashKumar-gl2fk]

Best chess channel

[@killsall7735]

Another great video 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Drxcture]

I have a question. In the brilliant tactical combination, after h3 can black play h5 insead of Bh5? I mean if hxBg4 then hxg4, attacks the knight and if the knight moves then Qh2 is checkmate.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

No, after 11. h3 h5 12. hxg4 hxg4 follows 13. Bxe6 (13... fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qd6 15. e4 gxf3 16. Bf4 Qxe6 17. Re1 Qxe1 18. Qxe1 and White wins) gxf3 14. Bh3 favors White. Btw after 11. h3 Bxf3 the position is equal.

[@Justin-ob3nm]

E4 check after pawn gambit. How would you play this? Happens often and ruins my position 🤷

[@TheDitronik]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 { B01 Scandinavian Defense: Main Line } 4. Bb5+ c6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Ne5 cxb5 7. Qe2 b4 8. Nb5 Nc6 9. Nc4 Qd8 10. Ncd6+ Kd7 11. Nxf7 Qb6 12. d4 Rg8 13. O-O e6 14. Re1 Nd8 15. d5 Nxd5 16. Ne5+ Ke8 17. Bg5 Nf7 18. Rad1 Be7 19. Qh5 Bxg5 20. Qxf7+ Kd8 21. Qxg8+ Ke7 22. Qf7+ Kd8 23. Qf8# { White wins by checkmate. } 1-0

[@sandykarmakar]

Superb Sir 😃 🙏 Really...

[@striker8203]

Really interesting trap! Can wait to play it against my friends! 😀

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Let us know how it worked out

[@Mik1604]

You can do all this without sacrificing the pawn on b4 I think?

[@teddymagcawas1332]

I can't set up my Scotch gambit with this Scandinavian defense.but I still go for ruy lopez.if black plays knight to f6... and i play for a deep end game..😊

[@subramanyabhat3110]

They give check after capturing e4 pawn form Queen

[@TheDitronik]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 { B01 Scandinavian Defense: Main Line } 4. d4 e6 5. Nf3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Qh5 8. Be2 Nf6 9. O-O O-O 10. Ne5 Qg5 11. f4 Qh4 12. Be1 Qh6 13. g4 g5 14. fxg5 Qxg5 15. Bd2 Qg7 16. Qc1 Ne4 17. Bh6 Qh8 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. Rxf7+ Ke8 20. Qh6 Nd7 21. Qxe6+ Kd8 22. Qe7# { White wins by checkmate. } 1-0

[@TobewRobert]

Amazing

[@sdaiwepm]

My first win with the b4, Nb5, ... Qh5 trap - I did it!!

[@danielelko9992]

knight to c3 then pawn to a3 seems to shut all of these down. Is there a play if this happens?

[@dhatchanamoorthy4975]

It was nice

[@authorjamieljones]

I play the Scandi often and I’ve run into the traps and I can tell you that the Scandi is solid once your knight's are out and covering each other. These traps for white hardly ever work against me in Rapid

[@brianparkin5218]

I love when White gives me the b4 pawn - does anyone ever fall for this simple trap?

[@balloondestroyer4892]

sorry wrong video

[@RustamBazarbaev]

What do you recomend for 1. e4 d5. 2. exd5 Kgf6 ?

[@alieniverson8139]

Probably Nbc3

[@The_Wires]

What happen when queen e4 or e5 check?

[@markanastacio7324]

Thats great giving some ideas but pls more accurate all possible moves you can move not only thoughts only move Ending last part. Black Bishop can protect king before white queen takes black queen.

[@lw216316]

Wow, learned a lot - did not know people played chess for money. wink Good teaching. I leaned a lot and look forward to trying this out the next time I can.

[@jeupham]

Apart from 5.Sb5!? there is also the Quigley Variation which is 5.a4.

[@kevinmurphy4595]

But Maestro, please, what is best if Black DOES play ...5 Na6?

[@agentxyz]

ty

[@sinistershadow]

12:58 what about bishop f 5

[@GLu-tb1pb]

The defenses all show interesting ideas. I like the sacrifice though, reminds a little of greek gift...

[@SAM_UL]

This is nasty. Definitely gonna try these lines out.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

[@sevoo1579]

wow this is incredible

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Hassani91]

12:12 ba3 bishop sacrifice if he tack nd8 checkmate

[@samthebludger]

but what if they put knight on a6? Cant go with bishop on c4 cant take pawn on c7. Knight doesent look good on the edge of the bord but kills all the plan.

[@phonkeymonkey4808]

how do you refute the Qe4+ on move 5 ? after Nb5

[@5piral0ut]

Yes, I’ve faced this a couple of times too with this gambit. I respond with 6.Be2 offering up a second pawn on g2. If they take it, playing 7.Bf3 to defend the rook and attack the white queen. White can’t then both save the queen and defend the Nxc7 fork threat.

[@iZelmon]

Why not pawn e5 at 10:55?

[@jamesmikayelyan3357]

I’m the variation where you play Qh5 before bishop c4 what if black takes

[@MrsGoos]

Worked for me 1:1 today and I won, thanks ;)

[@Zephyrinn__]

11:52 what happens if they block the pin with the bishop

[@wrathofgrothendieck]

good tactics

[@jeupham]

This is the Mieses Gambit in case anyone felt like crediting its creator.

[@guillaumelatte9548]

And what to do at the beginning after Kb5 Qc5 instead of Qa5 ??

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You can gain an extra tempo by playing d4

[@NoLoveII]

Most of the people I play against start giving my white checks with the Queen rather then moving it to other side what should I do ?

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

Keep attacking the queen. They'll waste their time when we already developed some pieces. Maybe

[@kevintrang6447]

What if at 9:04 black dods Ne5?

[@MandatoryMC45]

At the very end after Qg4 wouldn't Bf5 have stopped that?

[@dawsonbouaphaseuth2218]

what do you do if they end up putting the knight on the edge of the board

[@Kjhames23]

Nice

[@ZaherArraf]

If he doesn’t take pawn b4 first place is trap over and failed?

[@199jaw]

okay but what if they play c6 immediately after i move kb5? i can fork for a rook but still i want that queen

[@OPbaiterOP]

You take the rook lol it's good enough

[@Zdv0rz]

Fr I used this tactic and black took Knight and I took his queen with bishop. I went on to blunder badly and win on time.

[@thomzajac5411]

I'm a bit confused.... Black's king doesn't have to take the bishop to get out of check- couldn't the king just move over and ruin the attack?

[@teddymagcawas1332]

I liked gm smirnov..😊

[@mariabernadettebredfeldtle4934]

What if after kc6 the queen goes to d6? It all falls apart?