The smooth Scandinavian Defence with 3...Qd8

Are you looking for a simple, easy-to-learn repertoire against 1.e4? Then the Scandinavian with 3...Qd8 is for you! After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3, the retreat 3...Qd8 leads to a very solid position for Black. At the cost of two tempi, the pawn structure is predefined and therefore a clear development plan for our minor pieces can be made. The first goal is to bring the light-squared bishop to g4 and then place the pawns on c6 and e6. Now Black has a rock-solid setup and good chances to build pressure against the white pawn on d4 and/or use the d5 square as an outpost for one of his pieces.