Ponderchess / Openings
Play the guided film, or select a scene to pause and study its position.
Opening
The Scandinavian Defense in 3D
1.e4 d5. Black challenges e4 on the very first move. After 2.exd5, Black usually recaptures with the queen or with the knight from f6.
Rebuild the sequence yourself. The board responds to each move, and hints are available.
Click or drag to move · Arrow keys + Enter to play
Your turn · white to play
Select a piece, then its destination. Switch to 2D for a clear overhead view or rotate the 3D board to explore the position.
Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation, move by move: e4 d5 exd5 Qxd5 Nc3 Qa5 d4 Nf6 …
The white pieces
Use the extra tempi from attacking the queen to build a lead in development.
The black pieces
Develop smoothly with ...Nf6, ...Bf5 or ...Bg4, ...c6 and ...e6, reaching a Caro-Kann-like structure.
Look a little deeper · 01
2...Qxd5 3.Nc3 costs Black a tempo, but the queen usually retreats to a5 or d6 and the position stays solid.
Look a little deeper · 02
2...Nf6 aims to regain the pawn later and keeps the queen at home.
Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation, move by move: e4 d5 exd5 Qxd5 Nc3 Qa5 d4 Nf6 …
Keyboard: Space pauses, the arrow keys step. Gold arrows are White's moves, violet are Black's, red rays are threats, green shows support, blue shows plans.
