Unusual Scandi vs. National Master | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2445

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+0 game against a National Master (NM) rated 2445 on Chess.com. The line 1.e4 d5 2.Nc3 isn't too challenging for Black, but you can expect to encounter it frequently when playing the Scandinavian. I prefer 2...dxe4 3.Nxe4 Qd5!?, which offers White an invitation to the main-line Scandinavian with 4.Nc3. As played, White prefers the defense 4.d3, after which we're "just playing chess." I soon spot an opportunity to strand White's king in the center, and the move 8-13 range proves critical in determining whether I can secure an advantage.
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