Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line
The Valencian Main Line is 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4, where Black pins the f3 knight to fight for d4. White can chase the bishop with h3 and take the bishop pair, while Black aims for a compact ...c6 and ...e6 setup that keeps the position closed.
- Moves
- 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4
- ECO
- B01
- Engine
- +0.90 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,028 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 53.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play h3 to force ...Bxf3, recapture Qxf3, and keep the bishop pair with Be3 and a3.
- Develop with Bf4 and consider long castling, as in the second engine line, with the rook on d1 behind d4.
- After Be3 and h3, chase the bishop to g6 with Nh4 to gain space and the bishop pair.
- Hold back with the d4 pawn until Black's ...c5 break is prepared, and then answer it with d5.
Black
- Trade on f3 when asked and play ...c6, ...e6 and ...Nbd7 for a sturdy structure.
- If White castles long, use ...Bb4 to pin the c3 knight and point at White's king.
- Keep the bishop with ...Bf5 against Be3 and h3, then retreat to g6 if Nh4 comes.
- Prepare ...c5 or ...e5 only after development so the d4 pawn becomes a target.
Plans and pawn structure
After h3 and ...Bxf3, White has two bishops and a queen on f3 aimed at b7. Black's light squares are firm after ...c6 and ...e6. White plans Be3, castling long or short and a central push or kingside expansion with g4. Black castles, places knights on d7 and f6 or d5, and looks for ...c5 to open lines against d4. In closed positions the bishop pair matters less, so Black wants simple, safe play.
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 +0.90: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.90 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6
- +0.73 6.Bf4 c6 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e6
- +0.65 6.Be3 e6 7.h3 Bf5 8.Qe2 Nc6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,028 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, accept the bishop trade on f3 and build with ...c6, ...e6 and ...Nbd7. Do not grab b2 with the queen after Qxf3, because White develops with tempo and the queen gets trapped or chased. Keep the king safe first, then hit d4 with ...c5 when your pieces are ready.
Questions
What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line?
The Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4. Its ECO code is B01.
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.90 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,028 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.0%. A solid main line for Black players who want a simple setup, but White keeps the bishop pair and an easy plan.
What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line?
Black pins the knight on f3 to make d4 harder to support. White chases the bishop with h3 and plays for the bishop pair, while Black builds a solid ...c6 and ...e6 wall.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is h3, with Bf4 and Be3 close behind. 6.h3 asks the bishop to decide, and after ...Bxf3 Qxf3 White has two bishops and a strong queen.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.