Chess Openings Lab
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English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense

The Anglo-Scandinavian Defense is 1...d5, hitting the c4 pawn at once. White usually takes on d5 and gains time against Black's queen with Nc3, while Black either recaptures with the queen or gambits with ...Nf6 for quick development.

Moves
1.c4 d5
ECO
A10
Engine
+0.64 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
8,931 games in our lichess sample
White scores
55.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 2.cxd5 is the engine's choice. Black's central pawn is gone and White keeps two center pawns against one.
  • After ...Qxd5, Nc3 hits the queen and gains a tempo.
  • 2.d4 transposes to a Queen's Gambit, and 2.e3 heads for calm Queen's pawn structures.
  • Keep the d5 pawn after ...Nf6 only if it does not cost development; White's main edge is the center.

Black

  • Recapturing with ...Qxd5 regains the pawn but walks into Nc3. The queen usually goes to a5, the Malvinas Variation.
  • 2...Nf6 is the Schulz Gambit, delaying the recapture to gain development.
  • After 2.cxd5 Nf6 3.d4, the engine gambits with ...c6 and then ...Bg4.
  • ...e6 against 2.d4 leads to Queen's Gambit Declined positions.

Plans and pawn structure

After 2.cxd5, White has two central pawns, d and e, against Black's single e-pawn. White builds with d4, e4, Nf3 and Nc3, using the center for space. Black's play is development: ...Nf6, ...Nc6, ...Bg4 or ...Bf5, with pressure on the d4 pawn. If Black gets the pawn back and finishes development, the game is balanced. If White keeps the center under control, it is a long-term edge.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.64: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.64 2.cxd5 Nf6 3.d4 c6 4.dxc6 Nxc6
  2. +0.29 2.d4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7
  3. +0.18 2.e3 e6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

8,931 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.2%.

under 120052.1%
1200–159954.7%
1600–199956.0%
2000 and up58.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, take with 2.cxd5 and gain time against the queen with Nc3. Do not hold on to extra material if it costs development. As Black, do not leave your queen on d5 to be hit repeatedly; go to a5 or use ...Nf6 first.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense?

The English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense starts 1.c4 d5. Its ECO code is A10.

Is the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.64 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 8,931 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.2%. A direct choice for Black, but it gives White a central pawn majority, so it suits players who enjoy open piece play.

What is the main idea of the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense?

Black challenges c4 at once. White takes on d5 and gains time against the queen or keeps a central pawn majority, while Black aims for quick development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd5, with d4 and e3 close behind. 2.cxd5 removes Black's center pawn and gives White a central majority.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.