Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation
The Scandinavian Variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense is 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5, where Black hits e4 with the d-pawn. White can gain space with e5, open with exd5 or develop with Nc3, while Black wants quick piece play and an active c8 bishop.
- Moves
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5
- ECO
- B00
- Engine
- +0.51 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 10,489 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Push 3.e5, the engine's first choice, and support it with c3 and f4 for a French-style chain.
- After 3.exd5 Qxd5, develop with Nf3 and Nc3 to gain time on the exposed queen.
- With 3.Nc3, answer ...dxe4 with d5 to kick the knight, then win the pawn back later.
- Use the space after e5 to slow down Black's development and keep the c6 knight from finding good squares.
Black
- Answer 3.e5 with ...Bf5 and ...e6, getting the bishop out before the pawn chain shuts it in.
- After 3.exd5, take with ...Qxd5 and strike with ...e5 against d4 to free your pieces.
- Hit the White chain with ...f6 after e5, since the knight on c6 makes ...c5 hard.
- Against 3.Nc3, take on e4 and play ...Nf6 and ...c6 to hold the extra pawn for a while.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's ...d5 challenges e4 at once. After 3.e5 the position looks like a French, but with the c8 bishop able to get out first, and Black plays ...Bf5, ...e6 and ...f6 against the chain. After 3.exd5 Qxd5 the queen is exposed, White gains time with Nf3 and Nc3, and Black answers with ...e5 and ...Bb4. After 3.Nc3, White offers a pawn for development and space with d5.
Where the engine's main line heads: French chain: d4–e5 against d5–e6. The French chain: White's pawns on d4 and e5 face Black's on d5 and e6. White has kingside space, Black attacks the base of the chain.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.51: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.51 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be2 e6 5.c3 f6
- +0.29 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.d5 Nb8 5.Bc4 Nf6
- +0.23 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3 Bb4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
10,489 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation3.e5 · 5,361 games
- Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation3.exd5 · 3,254 games
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation3.Nc3 · 1,495 games
- Hornung Gambit3.Be3 · rare
- Scandinavian Variation, Aachen Gambit3.exd5 · rare
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Richter Gambit3.Nc3 · rare
How to play against it
White, 3.e5 is the most testing reply: support the chain with c3, Be2 and f4. Black, get the c8 bishop out with ...Bf5 before playing ...e6, and prepare ...f6 to hit e5. In the exchange line, keep the queen out of reach of Nc3 tempo moves.
Questions
What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation?
The Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5. Its ECO code is B00.
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.51 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 10,489 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.2%. A playable line for Black players who like the Scandinavian, but White can claim space and a small edge.
What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation?
Black hits e4 with ...d5. White can gain space with e5, open lines with exd5, or develop with Nc3 and offer a pawn for quick development.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e5, with Nc3 and exd5 close behind. 3.e5 gains space and closes the center, leaving Black's c6 knight with fewer good squares.
Related lines
- Nimzowitsch Defense
- Kennedy Variation
- Declined Variation
- Franco-Nimzowitsch Variation
- Williams Variation
- Mikenas Variation
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.