@Mnb

might be true
Fast is exactly what we Kalashnikovs are about; we are even so fast that we cant wait for a normal Sveshnikov;

seriously: I cant consider 9.Qxd6 if I want to castle 0-0-0; for the same reason I cant play in the third variation a6+b5 (but only e6); and scores for black in those variations are nearly as bad as in my variations according to my database

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Good comments.  Your English is not so bad.

I think that if you're 1800-1900 you should play neither of these defenses, but only 1...e5!  But I've posted elsewhere about this, so I will not ride that particular hobby-horse right now.

I think Alekine's particularly IS a horrible choice for someone at this level of play.  It takes, in my view, considerable knowledge of chess to make Alekhine's work.  But it does work, or at any rate, come very close to working, if Black knows what he is doing.  It is rather brilliantly conceived, I think, right in line with how Steinitz played.  It's interesting that Fischer, an exponent of Steinitz, also sometimes used Alekhine's.

Sure, otherwise I would not have mentioned it!

<after 3...Nfd7 4.e6!? is interesting pawn sacrifice>
Of course it is, as it is named the Spielmann Gambit!
Some eight years ago I had to win a game against the leader to win an unimportant tournament. I knew that my opponent would defend with 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5 Nfd7 and decided to play for a win without risk with 4.d4 transposing to the Steinitz Variation. Indeed I won in the far endgame. A few months later I met him again and went for 4.e6! The game lasted less than 20 moves ....

Personally, I have found 1.e4 d5 2.Nc3 e6! to work very well in blitz. Play usually continues 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4 c5 and now white thinks for a while and then reluctantly play 6.dxc5. 

I'm quite happy to play this typical basic french position, while I suspect that many of the white players usually play the advance variation against the french. 

Don't worry too much about the BDGers being tempted into it after 1 e4 d5...

We think the Scandinavian is too crappy to allow you the honor of our beloved gambit .   

On a more serious note, you probably need to learn BDG lines of some sort for a defense to d4 anyway, so this just gives you more motivation to do so.  1 d4 d5 2 e4 dxe4 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 f3 exf3 5 Nxf3 Bf5! would suit Scandinavian players quite well.  Alekhine players may prefer 5 ... g6.   

Back to 1 e4 d5 2 Nc3, what's wrong with Nf6?  2 ... Nf6 3 e5 Nfd7, with a quick c5 and Nc6 is surely playable for black.   

NeX iRae

A serious deviation is 1.e4 d5 2.Nc3, transposing to the Sleipner-Van Geet Opening. There is a thread on this in the Flank Openings Section.

I quit the Alekhine when everyone started feeding me the exchange variation, not that it's terribly good for white, but it did feel like I was playing for a draw at most.

The Scandinavian doesn't have a similar spoil sport variation I think, or if there is one it's not very common as I haven't seen it yet!   

But the price is a position with less tension as there's no pawn contact  in the centre, still the games tend to become interesting after awhile anyway!

I didn't even consider 4...Qe6+! (I had thought about 4...Qd6 though.).  That looks like a very good solution.  I think Black can improve on Kaufmans variations after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 (this has been played by some pretty strong players though).

I originally also thought 3.Nf3 was nothing special but then I started looking over the analysis in Kaufman's "The Chess Advantage in Black and White" and started to change my mind.

Martin also has some interesting material on this in his section but in most of the games White seemed to be playing pretty much for only 2 results.

Against 3...Nc6 Kaufman advocates' "4.Nc3 Qa5 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.0-0 0-0-0 7.Re1 a6? (Better was 7...e6 8.d3 Bb4 [else Nd2-c4] 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.Ne5 Be8 11.Bd2 Ne7 12.a3.  White kills the bishop pair and retains a nice lead in development.) 8.b4!".  He likes White's chances in all variations stemming from 8.b4.

Against 3...Bg4 I think White should prefer 4.Nc3, as opposed to the Kaufman recommendation of 4.Be2, as I don't think Black is really doing all that well after 4...Qa5 5.h3.

I'm open to suggestions that the above isn't necessarily so bad for Black or of other possibilities for Black that might be better.

Part of my current opinion that 3.Nf3 deserves a "!" is based on that I didn't think White was getting much in the solid variations with ...Bf5.  Perhaps I'm not aware of the best ways for White to play against this with 3.d4.

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What's the latest on 3.Nf3, I know Wahls recommended 3...Bg4 but in my database the big guys seem to prefer 3...Nf6 and a draw before move 15. 

Though I don't think 3.Nf3 is the biggest threat to the Scandinavian, it can be annoying to meet as black can easily overpress after 3...Bg4. 
What does the experts here think? Is it promising for white or not? 

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bc4 Bg4 5.f3 Bf5 (undeveloping with Bc8 does not appeal) 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.d3 Nb6 8.Bb3 Nbxd5 9.Nxd5 Nxd5 10.Ne2 e6 11.Ng3 Bg6 12.o-o Be7 13.f4 and White has a very nice edge. His plan is simple and straightforward, while Black lacks counterplay.
Maybe I have the move order wrong, because I am typing from memory.

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OK, and why don't you like 4...Bg4 instead of 4...b5?
Any forced good line for White after that move?

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What do you think: is it better for Black not to play 5...a5 in this line? I still don't know which of the two 5...a5 and 5...Bg4  is better 
???

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7...Nc6 8.Q:d8 R:d8 
Black has almost full compensation for the pawn here in my opinion. 

for example 9.a3 Bc5 10.b4 Nd4 seems to be only slightly better for White.

Clouds above "my" new Scandinavian.

I just played on ICC a blitz game with 2... Nf6, 3. Bb5+ Bd7, 4. Bc4 Bg4, 5. f3 Bf5, 6. Nc3 Nbd7, 7. Qe2 Nb6 and amazingly instead of Bb3 my opponent played Bb5+ ...

To my disappointment i was nearly immediately in an dry endgame (without any tactical complications) and honestly speaking - I did go through it afterwards 3 times - I tended to prefer the White side.

Also the database gives these and similar lines in the Nf6-Scandinavians rather good chances for White (62/38 % !)

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I think that variation is not about anything specifically tactically. It's about either luring black into one of the Nxd5 lines, after which white can often play d2-d4 and c2-c4-c5 in quite a strong way or about getting black to play Qxd5, after which white doesn't have to play Nc3, here white can also try for a superior version of 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.d4/Nf3. By transposition there is some analysis of this in the Scandinavian book by Wahls (where he explains why after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 one shouldn't play 3...Nf6, that analysis is also on the Hansen cd).

@alumbrado
true, Black plays the Icelandic with a tempo down. But why then there is still a score of 57 % white vs. 43 % black (elo-average 2220) in over 300 games? So at least at my level it still seems playable.

@alumbrado (2)
you asked on the page before why this aversion against the Caro-Kann Panov. Well, I fall immediately asleep if I see something that looks only little bit like a queens gambit declined. So the Panov setup with d4+c4 vs. d5 causes me already utter boredom.

@Dzambus
thanks for the interesting idea of 5. Nf3 c5 !

Havent looked at it in detail,but would have myself never found this idea,and it scores an impressing 46 % white / 54 % black.

@Dzambus

maybe 6. Qe2 is not dangerous, but anyway it gives White the chance to change Queens.

I am checking the Scandinavian because I want an open position with much tactics. 

To change Queens in move nr. 7 is for sure what I am not searching.

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I personally think 5...Sc6 gives difficulties for Black: after
6.d4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3 

both 7...Ne4 and 7...Qe7 are not equalizing for Black in my opinion.

But there are strong masters who play 5...c5 with some success. I  would  play 5...Qe7 and 6.Qe2 is not so dangerous  , I am rather afraid of 6.Be2, because 

6.Qe2 Nc6 7.d4 Bg4 8.Q:e7+ B:e7 is not so bad for Black in my opinion.

@Alumbrado thanks for your answer

Yes, this once had to be said: A white player, that is perfect prepared for this one line (of an unusual opening!) that is probably difficult for black, is a rare thing, especially below-2000!!!

I am rated 1850 Elo. I dont know how it is in other countries, but in Austria usually people below 2000 dont care much about opening theory, just a little bit or at least not very deep.

And below 2000 most games are anyway decided by blunders and not by some "slight positional advantage" that a GM finds after 3 days of home analysis!

One chess-master told me one year ago: if you are below 2000, dont care too much about opening theory. This matters only if you are above 2000 and usually play against people above 2000. Better look for your tactical abilities in the middle-game.

I would estimate the likeliness to get at my level the one critical line of the Nf6-Scandinavian on the board, of below 15 % !!!

Thanks for your suggestions, they are appreciated.

Well, back to the roots. 
If the Qxd5-Scandi scores bad against the correct White setup, why not have another look at the Nf6-Scandi? I mean, it would be great to have a new opening that from the first moment on makes White play my game and this is the Scandinavian. I at first moment did not want to study the 2...Nf6 because with 4. d4 instead of 4. cxd6 or 4. exd6 White can transpose to the Caro-Kann or French.

The second look showed me that the danger that White transposes, is in the Islandic Gambit very low. At the Scandinavian Gambit (3..c6) the likeliness of a tranpose is very high, at Chessbase 8.0 at about 80 % ! But at the Islandic Gambit (3...e6) only 22 % of people transpose to the French Exchange. And even if they do, you have a boring French Exchange that offers Black immediately a good position with a score of 52 % white to 48 % black.

So why not go for the Nf6-Scandinavian (and the Scandinavian Gambit)?

The by far most common third move there is the 3. d4. I went throught all different variations and think that after 3...Bg4 (I think this is called Portugese variation, isnt it?) Black get always a good tactical fighting-position that has good scores for black.

Also after 3. Bb5+ Bd7, 4. Bc4 Bg4 or 4. Be2 Nxd5 etc. black scores good.

The only way for White to cause black serious problems seems 3. c4 e6, 4. dxe6 Bxe6, 5. Nf3. Somebody in another thread said 5...Qe7 is best. Would never play this! After 6. Qe2 Nc6, 7. d4 black is either in serious problems or cant avoid (Bg4) that White can change the Queens and then have a game that scores 72 % for White! So I would go for the 5...Sc6

One basic question remains: does Black get for the pawn (if White keeps it) get enought play or can White stand the black attack and have the better end in the endgame?

Well I almost agree.  There are only a few opening variations that are so boring that almost anyone could draw them.  I do think most of us club players do put too much emphasis on the opening.  I think it was Aagaard who said something to the effect of, "In nearly any game one is going to be presented with chances.  Its up to each individual to make the most of them."

I don't think its nearly so simple.  I mean if that's all White had to do why did Kasparov have so much trouble against Anand.  If you're a subscriber there is some good material that you should review.  After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 (I don't completely trust 3...Qd6 either but your view toward the Ne5/Bf4 threat is misguided.  (...Nc6 hardly being the only way to counter the threat) 4.d4 and now either 4...Nf6 and ...Bf5 (or maybe ...Be6 against the Ne5 idea) or the immediate 4...Bf5 is actually quite solid for Black if he knows a few critical variations (like when to play ...Kxd7 after a White Nxd7 move or how to meet various sharp d5 ideas).

Having said that, perhaps this isn't the opening for you if it goes this much against the grain.  In your intitial post you said you hated the dull positions that arose from some of the anti-sicilian systems.  I can certainly sympathize with your feelings but what defence doesn't have this problem?  Maybe the Pirc or Modern?

Some short analysis already showed me that I would not appreciate the 3...Qd6-setup.
The white threats of Ne5 + Bc4 and Nd5 + Lf4 are tremendous.
To not allow White a strong Ne5+Bf4-setup you should be able to meet Ne5 with Nc6.
But to do so, you must before play a6 to avoid Bb5.
This means, that you have only the choice of an early 4…a6 or to meet h3 not with Bh5 but with Bxf3.
But even then White can get the Bf4-setup with an early Nge2, you can`avoid that.

...especialy if White then follows up with a quick Qd2 and then 0-0-0, d6 dont seems to be the best place for the Lady

c6 is a security move, so in a way black accepts that he'll be playing somewhat slowly without exerting immediate pressure on white if he plays c7-c6. On the plus side it's a very solid move and the queen can escape to c7 and d8. Not playing c7-c6 and e.g. instead Nc6 is much more agressive, but also riskier - both sides can go wrong more easily e.g. after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 Nc6 white is already under a lot of pressure and has to worry about keeping things under control.

As to a3+b4 plans, I'd say that sometimes black should just castle to the kingside. Always casteling queenside doesn't really work.

@Alumbrado: thanks

What you folks think about 3...Qd6 in the Scandinavian ?

Wouldnt it have the advantage, that the queen is not so much target then at a5 ? Or can White even there play later on Bf4? Or is it compared with a5 too passive?

Just looked at Chessbase 8.0 and was very surprised to have with a basis of 1200 games a sensationally good statistique (for black) of 53 % white / 47 % black in 3...Qd6 !

I think you probably took the right decision in going for the Scandinavian ahead of the Alekhine.  Not that there is anything wrong with the Alekhine, it is just that it seems to me it requires greater understanding from Black.  The Scandinavian is much easier to play.

As regards meeting the a3, b4 plan, the trick is to make sure you can meet an eventual b4-b5 with ...c6-c5, challenging the centre and keeping the queenside files closed for the time being.

Besides that specific point, you should just follow the general principle to meet an attack on the flank, with action in the centre.  In this case, either ...c5 or ...e5 are indicated - these are in any case Black's standard plans in this position type

Ups. When analyzing whether to got for the 2... Sf6 or the 2. Qxd5 in the Scandinavian I just recognize that at the first possibility White can always transpose after 3. c4 in move Nr. 4 with d4 (instead of dxc6 or dxe6) to the Caro-Kann or the French what I personally would very much like to avoid.
So I will go for the second possibility!