Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation
The Advance Variation of the Nimzowitsch Scandinavian is 3.e5, where White locks the center and gains space. White supports the chain with c3, Nd2 and sometimes f4, while Black develops ...Bf5 and attacks the chain with ...f6.
- Moves
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
- ECO
- B00
- Engine
- +0.46 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 5,361 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 53.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Support e5 with c3 and Nd2, as in the top engine line, then bring the knight to f3.
- Use Bb5 to pin the c6 knight, which takes a defender away from the d4 and e5 squares.
- Play f4 to reinforce e5 and gain kingside space, as in the third engine line after ...a6.
- Answer ...fxe5 with Ndf3, keeping the d4 pawn protected and the center under control.
Black
- Develop with ...Bf5 before ...e6, so the light-squared bishop is not shut in behind the pawns.
- Strike with ...f6, which appears in all three engine lines, to break the chain at its head.
- Use ...Nh6 and a knight jump to f7 or f5 to add pressure on e5 and d4.
- Avoid playing ...e6 too early; it leaves the c8 bishop passive and makes ...f6 less effective.
Plans and pawn structure
After 3.e5 the center is closed. White's chain on d4 and e5 gives space, and White holds it with c3, Nd2-f3 and sometimes f4. Black plays ...Bf5, ...e6 and ...f6 to attack the chain from the front. If White ever trades on f6, Black gets the half-open f-file and freer pieces. If White holds firm, Black's knight on c6 has few good squares, because it blocks the c-pawn and cannot support a ...c5 break.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.46: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.46 3...Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Nd2 f6 6.Bb5
- +0.57 3...f6 4.Bb5 Bd7 5.Nf3 Nxe5 6.dxe5
- +0.65 3...a6 4.c3 Bf5 5.Nd2 f6 6.f4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
5,361 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
Black, play ...Bf5 first and prepare ...f6 to fight the chain; ...Nh6 is a useful extra attacker. White, hold e5 with c3, Nd2 and f4, and do not open the f-file for free. A Bb5 pin can make the c6 knight even more awkward.
Questions
What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation?
The Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. Its ECO code is B00.
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.46 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 5,361 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.0%. A good choice for White players who like space, and Black needs well-timed breaks and patience.
What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation?
White locks the center with e5 and gains space. Black develops the bishop with ...Bf5 and then breaks with ...f6 to fight the d4 and e5 chain.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bf5, with f6 and a6 close behind. 3...Bf5 develops the bishop before ...e6 can shut it in behind the pawns.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.