Chess Openings Lab
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Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation

The Scandinavian Variation of the Alekhine is 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5, where Black meets the quiet knight move with a direct central strike. White can trade on d5, push e5 into sharp tactics, or swap knights; Black wants free development and an easy game.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
ECO
B02
Engine
+0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
6,263 games in our lichess sample
White scores
46.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.exd5 Nxd5 4.Bc4 puts pressure on the d5 knight, and after ...Nxc3 bxc3 White gets the b-file and a center.
  • 3.e5 is wild: after 3...d4 4.exf6 dxc3 5.fxg7 cxd2+ 6.Bxd2 Bxg7, both sides have broken structures.
  • Develop with Nf3 and castle short; White's pieces come out quickly in the open positions this line produces.

Black

  • After 3.exd5, recapture 3...Nxd5 and meet Bc4 with ...e6 and ...Nxc3, as the engine does.
  • The Geschev Gambit ...c6 offers a pawn for fast development after dxc6 Nxc6.
  • Put the bishop on d6 and castle; Black's pieces get easy squares once the d-pawns are gone.

Plans and pawn structure

This line usually turns into open play with few pawns in the center. After 3.exd5 Nxd5, White's trumps are the bishop on c4 and quick development; Black answers with ...e6, ...Nxc3 and ...Bd6 for a solid position. After 3.e5 the game becomes tactical, with pawns crashing on f6, g7 and d2. Black's results in the sample are good, so White should know the critical tactics before choosing 2.Nc3.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.28: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.28 3.exd5 Nxd5 4.Bc4 e6 5.Nf3 Nxc3
  2. +0.18 3.e5 d4 4.exf6 dxc3 5.fxg7 cxd2+
  3. −0.23 3.Nxd5 Nxd5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 e5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

6,263 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 46.5%.

under 120049.7%
1200–159945.4%
1600–199945.1%
2000 and up47.6%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

The cleanest choice is 3.exd5 Nxd5 4.Bc4, developing with a threat. Only play 3.e5 if you have checked the line with ...d4 and exf6, since one slip there leaves White worse. Avoid early queen moves that let Black gain time.

Questions

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

The Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5. Its ECO code is B02.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 6,263 lichess games from our sample, White scored 46.5%. A comfortable line for Black that rewards solid development; White players should choose it only if they know the 3.e5 complications.

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

Black answers 2.Nc3 by striking the center with ...d5 at once. The game opens up quickly, and Black aims for easy development, while White relies on Bc4 pressure or the sharp e5 push.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is exd5, with e5 and Nxd5 close behind. 3.exd5 opens the center and prepares Bc4, putting immediate pressure on the recaptured knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.