Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit

The Boehnke Gambit is 2...e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6, where Black lets White capture en passant and recaptures with the bishop. Black is a pawn down but has open lines and quick development, while White wants to castle safely and make the extra pawn count.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6
ECO
B01
Engine
+1.08 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
3,272 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with 4.Nf3 and d4, the top engine line, building a pawn on d4 against Black's open center.
  • Check with Bb5+ after ...c5 and trade on c6 to leave Black with split queenside pawns.
  • Castle short before opening anything, since Black's queen and rooks reach the e-file quickly.
  • The 4.Nc3 line keeps d4 in reserve and develops with Nf3 and Be2 first.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nf6 and ...Nc6, then aim the queen at e7 to line up on the e-file.
  • Push ...c5 to hit d4 once White commits the pawn there, as in the top engine line.
  • Consider long castling after ...Qe7, as in the second engine line, to use the d-file.
  • The e6 bishop can hit a2 and c4; keep it active rather than trading it.

Plans and pawn structure

The structure has a white pawn on d4, no e-pawns for White, and no d-pawn for Black. White uses the d4 pawn for space and develops Nf3, Be2 or Bb5+ and castles, then trades pieces to reach an ending with the extra pawn. Black looks for piece pressure: ...Nc6, ...Qe7, rooks to d8 and e8, and ...c5 to break down d4. If Black's activity fades, White simply converts.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.08: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.08 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.d4 c5 6.Bb5+ Nc6
  2. +1.01 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qe7 6.Be2 O-O-O
  3. +1.01 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,272 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.3%.

under 120052.2%
1200–159951.3%
1600–199952.8%
2000 and up56.0%

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

How to play against it

As White, play 4.Nf3 and d4, then castle. Do not try to keep every pawn if it costs time; returning a pawn for safe development is fine. Trade pieces on c6 when it hurts Black's structure, and keep the queen off the e-file.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit?

The Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.08 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 3,272 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.3%. A surprise weapon for aggressive Black players, but a calm White player who develops and castles keeps a clear edge.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit?

Black gives a pawn so that both central files open and the pieces come out fast. White builds with Nf3 and d4, castles, and tries to reach a quiet position where the extra pawn decides.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with Nc3 and d4 close behind. 4.Nf3 develops a piece and gets ready for d4 and quick castling.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.