Annotated chess game

No, but I see why you think that. When you usually play a pawn and let the opponent take it's usually a gambit. But, this is the Scandinavian Defense. Although, it is played in the Game DB, I don't recommend it, at that level because there are a lot of variations and can even get more complicated then the Sicilian Defense.

This CAN lead to a gambit, if, after 2.exd5, Black doesn't recapture at once but plays 2...Nf6. This 'Scandinavian Defence' (1.e4 d5) which used to be called the 'Centre Counter' was for a short time a favourite of mine when I was a school boy.

The most common move is 2.exd5 which is why the Scandinavian Defense is not ideal. The idea being that after black answers with 2...Qxd5, white harrases the Queen and develops with 3.Nc3 which already gives him a small space advantage, as the Queen is forced to retreat which allows you develop another piece, quickly, whereas, black wouldn't have anything, yet. The thing about this move is that it really limits the mobility of your Bf1. The important thing to keep in mind is how many squares your Bishop covers which is how many squares they can go. Whereas, before this move they covered 5 squares. But, now they only cover 1 which means it can only go to 1 place, Be2. While it might seem irrelevant, mobility is essential.

Joe is right about the most common move, and it is so because no one can improve on it! This 2.d3 advance is ill-advised, because Black could now play 2...dxe4 and if then White plays 3.dxe3, Black can go 3...Qxd1ch 4.Kxd1 Nf6 This position need not be fatal for White, but the loss of castling rights, with only the queens gone, is a concession White would tend to avoid.

At this point in the game, the pawn chain does not add up to an advantage. It really depends on the position. For example, in a variation of the French Defense, a pawn chain would help for white, and he does get a small advantage. It starts off with 1.e3 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5, resulting in this position. As now, white is a little better off especially since there's also a gain of tempo. But, these pawn chains don't make a difference, yet.

You should note, Erika, that there remains a tension between e4 and d5 (because one pawn could capture the other) that keeps things likely to break open at any time. This is quite unlike the interlocking chains Joe has shown in his diagram.

Not bad. White had a wide choice, here.

At this point, it's not. Better would've been 3...dxe4, as now the only way to avoid losing a pawn is with 4.dxe4, and black is still slightly better because of 4...Qxd1+ and although you can prevent the loss of castling with 5.Bxd1+ black would still gain a tempo.

Double pawn walls are quite common - check out Joe's diagram, above. They usually lead to 'closed' games, with lots of manoeuvring behind the lines, and attacks on the flanks. What you are looking at in htis game is less usual, mainly because as a rule one side or the other will want to resolve the (Mexican?) stand-off between e4 and d5. This may happen in two ways: capturing, or advancing the lead pawn one square. For instance, White might choose here to take (4.exd5) to advance (4.e5) or leave the situation as is in the centre to be resolved later.

Good. You might as well castle before it's too late.

I would've castled here, but there's nothing wrong with this move since it develops.

Good square for the bishop.

The only thing is that black can decide to attack with 6...d4 which will cost you a tempo since you'd need to retreat.

As noted earlier, slightly stronger was 6...d4, although 7...b4 also becomes a threat. It's good that you stopped one attack, but...

He can still attack with the other pawn.

I would've answered with 7...d4, though.

Kingside makes most sense given the pawns there are all in place. The pawn on b4 leaves a bit of a hole on the queenside.

I was actually going to suggest castling short. However, as noted, I would've delayed it here with 9.d4 Good news now is that a lost of tempo is not an asset anymore since everything is developed. It would only delay castling even further.

This is a better outpost for the Knight.

Although I'd still play 9.d4, I like this move just as well.

Trying to exchange. This was not the time to do it. I think he did just because it was possible, but it's going to result in doubled pawns which will keep them isolated. And, that's not to mention that black is not completely developed, either. Another thing is while material is even, you have more then just a slight space advantage here since one of your pieces, as well as, the Queen is right in the center.

The reason this exchange is desirable for black is that the miserable bishop on a6 comes to life once the b5-pawn recaptures.

Exchanging here was the right choice as noted above.