Scandinavian Defense

The idea

After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5, Black usually takes back with the queen. White gains a move by attacking her with Nc3, so Black's queen steps to a5, d6 or d8. Then Black develops quickly: ...Nf6, ...c6, ...Bf5 or ...Bg4, and ...e6. The bishop comes out before ...e6, just as in the Caro-Kann.

The pawn structure is simple. White keeps a pawn on d4 and Black keeps pawns on c6 and e6, so there is little to memorize about pawn breaks. Black aims for smooth development, a safe king and a slow fight against White's d-pawn. Another way is 2...Nf6, taking back on d5 with the knight a move later.

Direct and practical. You get your own kind of position from the very first move, and White cannot steer the game into a deep main line of their choosing. It is one of the oldest recorded openings, and it is often called the Center Counter.

Players who want one simple answer to 1.e4 that works against almost every White setup. It is popular at every level online because the plans are easy to learn and repeat.

Your queen is out early, so count White's attacks on her before every move. Do not leave her where a knight or bishop can hit her with gain of time.

The main line, move by move

1. 1.e4 · White puts a pawn in the center and frees the queen and the bishop on f1. It is the most popular first move of all.
2. 1...d5 · Black attacks the pawn on e4 with a pawn on the very first move. This is the Scandinavian Defense, which forces the center open at once.
3. 2.exd5 · White takes the pawn, the most common answer. Now Black has to decide how to win it back.
4. 2...Qxd5 · Black takes back with the queen right away. The queen is out early, so White will try to gain time by attacking it.
5. 3.Nc3 · White develops a knight and attacks the queen with it, so Black must spend another move on the queen.
6. 3...Qa5 · The queen steps to a5, out of the knight's reach. Once White moves the d-pawn, the queen pins the knight on c3 to the king, and Black adds ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5.

Lines to learn: Scandinavian Defense

• Main line 3...Qa5
• If 3.Nf3
• If 2.e5

Next moves in book

• 2.Nc3 · Van Geet Opening: Dougherty Gambit
• 2.b3 · Scandinavian Defense
• 2.b4 · Zilbermints Gambit
• 2.exd5
• 2.Nf3 · Zukertort Opening: Tennison Gambit

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense B20–B99 · 327 named lines
• French Defense C00–C19 · 171 named lines
• Caro-Kann Defense B10–B19 · 92 named lines
• Alekhine Defense B02–B05 · 53 named lines