Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation

The Mieses-Kotroc Variation is 2...Qxd5, where Black takes back on d5 with the queen at once. White wants to develop with gain of time, usually with Nc3, while Black accepts losing a tempo in exchange for a clear structure and easy development.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.59 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
48,741 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 3.Nc3, the top engine move, hitting the queen and following up with d4 and Nf3.
  • Build the center with d4, then put the bishops on c4 or d2 and castle quickly.
  • The quieter 3.Nf3 lets Black pin with ...Bg4, so Be2 and short castling are natural there.
  • After 3.h3 Nc6, Black can trade knights on d4, so this move order gives Black an easy game.

Black

  • After Nc3, choose between ...Qa5 with a pin on c3 and ...Qd6, which keeps the queen central.
  • Against 3.Nf3, pin with ...Bg4, add ...Nc6 and consider long castling, as in the second engine line.
  • Plan ...Nf6, ...c6 and a light bishop on f5 or g4 before you play ...e6.
  • Do not leave the queen on d5 where c4 or Nc3 can hit it again.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's early queen move costs a tempo, but the structure is healthy. White normally plays Nc3 and d4, getting a pawn on d4 against no Black d-pawn, and develops with Nf3 and a bishop to c4 or d2. Black chooses a queen square, then plays ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5 and castles short. In lines with an early Nf3 and ...Bg4, Black may castle long and play for activity on the d-file.

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 +0.59: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.59 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5
  2. +0.28 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.O-O O-O-O
  3. +0.25 3.h3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Nd4 5.Nxd4 Qxd4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

48,741 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.6%.

under 120056.7%
1200–159955.5%
1600–199952.9%
2000 and up51.2%

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

Where it goes next

  • Valencian Variation3.Nc3 · 28,170 games
  • Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation3.Nc3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play 3.Nc3 and keep developing with gain of time: d4, Nf3 and a bishop move. As Black, pick a queen retreat you know well, either ...Qa5 or ...Qd6, and do not leave the queen where it can be hit a second time.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation?

The Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.59 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 48,741 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.6%. A reliable choice for Black players who want a clear structure, and White players do well with simple developing moves.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation?

Black regains the pawn immediately with the queen and aims for quick development. White gains time with Nc3 and builds a center with d4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Nf3 and h3 close behind. 3.Nc3 develops with a gain of time on the d5 queen.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.