Originally posted by Sicilian SmaugReally? Any particular line or reason? In my games against it I don't normally get much more than a slight advantage from the opening.
If I see the Scandinavion played against my e4, I feel confident of a win.
(In answer to the initial poster: it's one of the few openings with an early queen sortie that is pretty much alright, imo, and surprisngly safe in my experience. The exchange of central pawns makes the opening stage simpler for black, although he will still have a space disadvantage and slight lag in development. But I'm no expert, especially on the potentially more complex 2. ... Nf6 line.)
The poster didn't ask anything about the Sicilian Najdorf people. I could come in here and go, "OMG LOLOL THE DRAGON IS THE BEST!!!?!" That's my opinion, but that's not what the poster asked. In response to the OP, I agree completely with Tommy. Seems to me that the 2..Qxd5 line is perfectly fine for black. He has a space disadvantage, but it's seems to me like he gets to develop freely because of the release of the central tension and maintain a pretty solid position. All he has to watch out for is a d5 break, or some crazy sacs on e6 and he should make it out of the opening with decent chances. If this opening was really crap like these people say, then Anand would never have played it against Kaspy. Ever. Sorry to be so rude, I just wish people would think before they post. 😀