Sudden death in the Scandinavian

by Oliver Reeh
1/11/2025 – In the diagram position axb4 is not a threat, so Black can actually play whatever he wants. However, a continuation leads straight to the orcus, with mate in 4 - ha det så kul!!!
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 c6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 e6 Not the most demanding of all Scandinavian variations for Black, but despite giving up the bishop pair early, he is very solid. I've constructed the next moves to be able to delight you once again with a classic mating motif. 8.Bf4 8.Bd2 Nd7 9.0-0-0 Ngf6 10.Kb1 Qc7 11.Ne4 ½-½ (11) Yagupov,I (2450)-Rustemov,A (2495) Spasskoe 1996 8...Nd7 9.Be2 Bb4 10.a3 Sudden death in the Scandinavian In the diagram position axb4 is not a threat, so Black can actually play whatever he wants. However, a continuation leads straight to the orcus, with mate in 4 - ha det så kul!!! 0-0-0?? Castling into dusaster. I recently stumbled across this position on our tactics server https://tactics.chessbase.com - always worth a visit! 10...Ngf6! - among other things!
10...0-0-0?? was completely wrong - why?
Show Solution
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Alertsson-Blundersson-1–0 B01

Oliver Reeh in ChessBase Magazine

Do you like these lessons? There are plenty more by Oliver Reeh in ChessBase Magazine, where you will also find openings articles and surveys, tactics, and of course annotations by the world's top grandmasters.

ChessBase Magazine #216

 Order now in the ChessBase Shop  – Single issue € 21.90!

ChessBase Magazine trial subscription with 33% savings advantage and thank you bonus!*

Try out ChessBase Magazine now! Order the ChessBase Magazine taster package!
Read ChessBase Magazine for 6 months (= 3 issues) for the special price of only € 44.90 € (instead of € 65,70 for buying them individually). As a thank you, you will also receive 3 months ChessBase Premium Membership free of charge. 

*Bonus for new subscribers only, i.e. there was no CBM subscription for 12 months!

ChessBase Magazine one year subscription - plus original ChessBase USB stick with 128 GB *

Save twice with ChessBase Magazine: For the annual subscription to ChessBase Magazine you’ll pay only € 109.90 per year (compared to € 131.40 for the 6 individual issues).

* Bonus only for new subscribers, i.e. there was no CBM subscription for 12 months! As a new subscriber you will receive the original ChessBase USB stick with 128 GB

Oliver Reeh has been working for ChessBase for many years as a translator and presenter of the internet show TV ChessBase, and he also looks after the tactics column in ChessBase Magazine, for which he has also been responsible as editor-in-chief since 2019. The International Master has contributed to the CB "MasterClass" series and is the author of the DVDs "Strike like the World Champions" and "Master Class Tactics - Train your combination skills!" Volumes 1 & 2. Oliver Reeh lives in Hamburg.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.