Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation

The Classical Variation is 3...Qa5 with 5...Bf5, developing the light bishop before ...e6 locks it in. White wants Ne5 with g4 to push the bishop around, while Black aims for a solid ...c6 and ...e6 setup with a safe queen.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.64 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
510 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 6.Ne5, the top engine choice, then Bc4 and g4 to chase the f5 bishop.
  • The 6.Bd2 line breaks any pin and prepares Qe2 and long castling.
  • Follow g4 with h4, as in the main engine line, to gain more kingside space against a bishop on g6.
  • Place the light bishop on c4 to pressure f7 and the e6 square.

Black

  • Play ...c6 to give the queen a retreat on c7 and keep d5 under control.
  • Answer g4 with ...Bg6 and keep the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal.
  • Bring the b8 knight to d7 to challenge White's knight on e5.
  • Castle short once the bishop is safe and the knight on e5 has been traded.

Plans and pawn structure

White's d4 pawn controls central squares, and Black has no d-pawn. White aims for Ne5, Bc4 and pawn pushes like g4 and h4 to gain space and harass the f5 bishop. Black plays ...c6, ...e6 and ...Nbd7, then castles and looks for ...c5 or a knight trade on e5. If White overextends with g4 and h4, Black can hit back in the center and target the loose kingside.

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 +0.64: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.64 6.Ne5 c6 7.Bc4 e6 8.g4 Bg6
  2. +0.63 6.Bd2 Nbd7 7.Bc4 c6 8.Qe2 Qc7
  3. +0.46 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bd2 Bb4 8.a3 Bxc3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

510 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.6%.

under 120058.5%
1200–159950.0%
1600–199953.8%
2000 and up45.8%

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

Where it goes next

  • Grünfeld Variation6.Ne5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play ...c6 and ...e6 early and keep the bishop safe from g4 attacks by dropping it to g6. Do not leave the queen on a5 if Bd2 and Nd5 tricks appear. As White, push g4 only when Ne5 and Bc4 are already in place.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation?

The Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.64 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 510 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.6%. A solid and well known setup for Black, while White needs active play to keep an edge.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation?

Black develops the light bishop to f5 before ...e6. White tries to push it with g4 and use Ne5 and Bc4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Ne5, with Bd2 and Bc4 close behind. 6.Ne5 centralizes the knight and prepares g4 to chase the bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.