Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Leonhardt Gambit
The Leonhardt Gambit is 4.b4, where White throws the b-pawn at the a5 queen instead of playing d4. Black can grab it with 4...Qxb4 or step aside, and White hopes the open b-file and quick development make up for the missing pawn.
- Moves
- 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.b4
- ECO
- B01
- Engine
- −0.17 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,561 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 4...Qxb4, play Rb1 at once so the rook takes over the b-file with tempo on the queen.
- Develop with Nf3 and d4, then use Nb5 to hit c7 and harass the queen on d6.
- If Black declines with 4...Qb6, a3 and d4 give White space and a strong center for free.
- Answer the check 4...Qe5+ with Nge2, then d4 and Bf4 to keep pushing the queen around.
Black
- Take the pawn with 4...Qxb4, the top engine choice, and drop the queen back to d6 after Rb1.
- Develop the kingside with ...Nf6 and ...g6, then castle so the king is safe from the open center.
- Keep the c7 pawn covered when White's knight reaches b5; the queen on d6 does that job.
- If you decline, ...Qb6 with ...c6 and ...Bf5 gives a solid but more passive game.
Plans and pawn structure
After the capture on b4, White has the b-file and a lead in development, while Black has an extra pawn and a queen that has moved three times. White plays Rb1, Nf3, d4 and Nb5, trying to keep the queen on the run. Black aims for ...Qd6, ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7 with short castling, after which the extra pawn begins to tell. If Black declines, White simply enjoys space with a3 and d4.
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 −0.17: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.17 4...Qxb4 5.Rb1 Qd6 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.d4
- +0.45 4...Qb6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.a3 c6 7.d4
- +0.56 4...Qe5+ 5.Nge2 c6 6.d4 Qc7 7.Bf4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,561 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, take with 4...Qxb4 and retreat to d6 when the rook arrives on b1. Develop the kingside fast and castle. Keep an eye on Nb5 hitting the queen and c7. Do not go pawn hunting with the queen a second time.
Questions
What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Leonhardt Gambit?
The Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Leonhardt Gambit starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.b4. Its ECO code is B01.
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Leonhardt Gambit good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.17 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,561 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.7%. A tricky gambit for White players who like quick initiative, while a Black player who takes and develops calmly is doing well.
What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Leonhardt Gambit?
White sacrifices the b-pawn to gain time on Black's queen and open the b-file. Black can accept, retreat the queen to d6, and finish development to keep the extra pawn.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Qxb4, with Qb6 and Qe5+ close behind. 4...Qxb4 takes the pawn and plans ...Qd6 once the rook reaches b1.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.