Centre Counter Qd6 strikes
I chose this game because it involves an opening that I also use. Nisipeanu used it as black to defeat none other the Topalov in the Third M-Tel Masters in Sofia, Bulgaria.
I rarely see this opening played at top level. Only 2 other strong players I know of that use this fairly regularly are Singapore GM Wong Meng Kong and GM Drazen Sermek.
Update
I went into Amazon to see if there are books on this and it turns out there is a book for this particular variation:-
For a more complete cover of the Scandinavian I like this book from John Emms - The Scandinavian (2nd edition).
The ..Qd6 variation is actually a chapter from that book.
I’m happy with the Nissipeanu results. If the former World Champion can lose to this opening, the whole variation cannot be said to be refuted yet.
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Comments
See the game by Stripunsky in 2004:-
http://www.uschesschampionship.com/2005/news/024annotatedr9.htm
Are there any books covering this opening with 3…Qd6? I heard of the Bronstein variation where Black plays 3…Qd6 but instead of an early …c6 uses an …a6.
Is it also possible not to fianchetto on the King side and maneuver the King’s bishop somewhere else? I’m trying not to rely on KID structures too much. I know the fianchetto has something to do with a couple of plans dealing with a break with the e-pawn but are there other plans?