The appeal of the Scandinavian Defence is easy to understand: it is very forcing - Black is virtually guaranteed to get his desired structure. There are no annoying 'Anti-Scandinavians' to study! But for many decades the Scandinavian was regarded with some suspicion, as Black apparently loses time recapturing on d5. Modern players have a different view. The great Danish player Bent Larsen kickstarted the revolution with his provocative assertion that it is an improved Caro-Kann (and, not least, beating Karpov with our opening)! But the 21st-century Scandinavian is a different beast altogether; the new main line of the whole opening (3...Qd6) has proven to have great strategic richness, with more than a few tactical tricks lurking just behind the scenes. The Scandinavian has been transformed into an opening that strong grandmasters are willing to use as their main defence, rather than as an occasional surprise weapon. This thoroughly modern guide focuses on these new approaches, while also covering the more traditional main lines. Kasparov guides the reader carefully through each system, explaining his recommendations with wit and clarity. With his help, you will have your opponents wishing there really were some 'Anti-Scandinavian' lines!

When opening a chess game with the Scandinavian, 1.e4 d5, Black decides on the very first move where the battle will be fought - a significant gain for any competitive player. Grandmaster Christian Bauer is one of the world's leading experts on the Scandinavian and in this book he reveals the secrets of his over-the-board success.Bauer focuses particularly on 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5, the established main line of the Scandinavian. An understanding of the move order nuances is essential, and Bauer is an ideally-qualified guide.

What’s Old Is New – and Surprisingly Strong! The world’s oldest opening variation, 3...Qd8 in the Scandinavian Defense, has resurfaced in the last decade to give players at all levels a winning edge. Whether you prefer a sharp tactical game or slower positional maneuvering, the 3...Qd8 Scandinavian provides a genuine alternative for club players and grandmasters seeking to play for a win from the outset. Elite players such as Michael Adams, Josif Dorfman, Kiril Georgiev and Julian Hodgson, among others, have successfully raised the banner of the 3...Qd8 Scandinavian. As the author demonstrates, this variation’s doubtful reputation is undeserved. It is completely playable – and easy to learn! 3...Qd8 is not the ugly duckling sibling of 3...Qa5 and 3...Qd6 – it is a superb alternative. “Dan's a strong player, but he’s an even stronger teacher. The book sparkles with practical insight, lucidly explained.” International Grandmaster Zviad Izoria

Grandmaster David Smerdon gives the Scandinavian a welcome twist by using it as an all-out attacking weapon. The repertoire he presents is one he has successfully employed at grandmaster level over many years, and the backbone is provided by the razor-sharp Portuguese and Icelandic gambits.

The Scandinavian Defence is one of the most popular chess openings among amateur players, and it is easy to see why. Black players immediately limit the opening theory they have to know because there is no way White can side-step Black’s first move. What’s more, the Scandinavian requires only very little theoretical knowledge, so it has an extremely low maintenance factor. To cap it all, Black gets a solid structure. And that’s not even the end of the good news, as Thomas Willemze demonstrates. Playing the Scandinavian teaches invaluable techniques that you can use in almost all of your other games. Pressuring the centre, improving your piece coordination, trading the right pieces and exploiting your opponent’s weak points are all typical ‘Scandinavian’ spin-offs that Thomas Willemze teaches you in his trademark lucid style. This book presents everything you need to know to be fully prepared to meet 1.e4. Willemze not just uses examples from the games of elite grandmasters. As an experienced trainer he knows that discussing club player’s adventures are particularly instructive for his target group.

Jovanka Houska reveals everything you need to know about the Scandinavian, whether you are playing it as Black or facing it with White.

The Routledge Handbook of Scandinavian Politics is a comprehensive overview of Scandinavian politics provided by leading experts in the field and covering the polity, the politics and the policy of Scandinavia. Coherently structured with a multi-level thematic approach, it explains and details Scandinavian politics today through a series of cutting-edge chapters. It will be a key reference point both for advanced-level students developing knowledge about the subject, as well as researchers producing new material in the area and beyond. It brings geographical scope and depth, with comparative chapters contributed by experts across the region. Methodologically and theoretically pluralistic, the handbook is in itself a reflection of the field of political science in Scandinavia and the diversity of the issues covered in the volume. The Routledge Handbook of Scandinavian Politics will be an essential reference for scholars, students, researchers and practitioners interested and working in the fields of Scandinavian politics, European politics, comparative politics and international relations.

""Scandinavian Mentality"" delves into the distinctive social and communicative patterns that characterize Nordic societies, offering a fascinating exploration of how cultural values shape behavior across Scandinavian countries. The book centers on three fundamental aspects: lagom (the principle of moderation), the law of Jante (emphasizing collective well-being over individual success), and unique social distance norms that define personal interactions. Through a research-based approach spanning five decades of sociological studies, the book illuminates how historical factors, Lutheran influences, and geographical isolation have molded modern Scandinavian communication patterns. The text progresses thoughtfully from historical foundations to contemporary applications, examining how these cultural elements manifest in professional, personal, and public spaces. A particularly intriguing aspect is the apparent paradox in Scandinavian behavior: while strongly valuing social equality and community welfare, individuals maintain significant personal distance in daily interactions. This unique combination of collectivist values and personal space requirements creates a distinctive social dynamic that sets Scandinavian cultures apart. Drawing from extensive research across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the book bridges theoretical understanding with practical application, making it valuable for both academic study and real-world cultural navigation. It examines how these behavioral patterns adapt to modern challenges while maintaining their core characteristics, offering readers concrete strategies for understanding and engaging with Scandinavian social contexts. The interdisciplinary approach, combining social psychology, cultural anthropology, and communication studies, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding these unique cultural dynamics.

Trace your Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish ancestors! This convenient guide will help you discover your Northern European family history while optimizing your research time. Highlights include: • Strategies for identifying immigrant Scandinavian ancestors, plus how to trace them back to Europe from North America • Methods for locating Swedish genealogy records, Norwegian genealogy records, or Danish genealogy records within your family's town of origin • Detailed guides to finding and decoding common Scandinavian records, including: church records, civil registration records, census returns, property deeds, military records, and many more • Quick guides to Scandinavian history, geography, and language • Historical timelines, sample records, and resource lists that will bring your family history to life If your family tree includes Swedish roots, Danish roots, or Norwegian roots, The Family Tree Scandinavian Genealogy Guide is a must-have for your genealogy research.

In New Scandinavian design, design journalist Katherine E. Nelson pairs with designer Raul Cabra to produce a comprehensive survey of cutting-edge Scandinavian design, delving deep and taking a critical look at the exciting contemporary work from the northern countries. Central to the endeavour was the question posed to hundreds of designers, curators, policy makers and entrepreneurs: is there still such a thing as Scandinavian design? Featuring examples of contemporary furniture, housewares, textiles, consumer electronics and lighting.