1 e4 Various MARCH 2003 UPDATE
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This month we focus on the Scandinavian with 3...Qd6 IM Andy Martin |
To download the March '03 1 e4 ... games directly in PGN form, click here: 
Scandinavian Defence
            
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Recent investigations have convinced me that Black's game is very playable after this move and I use a few games to whet your appetite and perhaps inspire you to take a look yourself.
Kasparov - Rogers by definition must be a critical game for this line. After 9 d5!
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Black's position is nothing at all to write home about, but that isn't the full story as you will see. Stripunsky - Lein from the recent US Championship suggests better things for Black-Lein equalizes with 16...Rad8
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Did you know that the Scandinavian has its very own 'Poisoned Pawn' variation? Take a look then at the complications in McShane - Lalic after 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qd6 4 d4 Nf6 5 Bc4 a6 6 Nge2 Qc6
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I wouldn't be too confident playing this line on a regular basis but as a one-off weapon it is fully serviceable.
You will see veteran GM Kurajica on top form using 3...Qd6 in this update. Zelcic is the victim and 20...Qb5!
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the move of the game, see Zelcic - Kurajica.
Finally Rosandic - Zelcic completes our brief excursion into the Scandinavian hinterland, another nice win for Black.
Caro-Kann Defence
The most important game of the update is Fedorov - Dreev from the recent Aeroflot Open in Moscow, where Black unleashes a novelty e.g. 11...Nge7!
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Very much a common-sense move it seems to me with White moving only pawns and Knights.
Crouan feels the heat as he tries to blow Rausis away with some ropey old line in the Caro-Kann ie 7 Nh3?!
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Have a look at Crouan - Rausis.
Modern Defence
Joe Gallagher essays the Hippopotamus with success in a recent Bundesliga clash against Enders i.e. 10...0-0
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, see Enders - Gallagher, to complete the set.
Have a great month, keep those contributions to the forum coming in and I will see you in April!
Please post you queries on the 1 e4 ... Forum, or write to me at AMartin@ChessPublishing.com if you have any questions or queries, and I wish you all a very good month.
Andrew