Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation
The Bogoljubow Variation of the Nimzowitsch Scandinavian is 3.Nc3, where White develops and lets Black take on e4. Black usually captures with ...dxe4, while White answers with d5 to gain time on the c6 knight and later regains the pawn.
- Moves
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
- ECO
- B00
- Engine
- +0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,495 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Answer ...dxe4 with d5, kicking the knight back to b8, as in the top engine line.
- Develop with Bc4 and Nge2, as the engine shows, then use Ng3 to attack the e4 pawn.
- Against ...e5, take with dxe5 and after ...d4 jump to d5 with the knight, gaining a strong square.
- Against ...e6, push e5 and meet ...f6 with Nf3, keeping a space edge in the center.
Black
- Take with 3...dxe4, the engine's choice, and develop with ...Nf6 to defend the extra pawn.
- After d5, retreat with ...Nb8 and play ...e5 or ...c6 to fight back in the center.
- Hold the e4 pawn only if it costs nothing; development comes first in this line.
- Avoid ...e5 or ...e6 at move three, which give White space and a clear edge.
Plans and pawn structure
Black takes on e4, and White pushes d5 to gain time on the c6 knight. Black retreats it to b8 and plays ...Nf6, ...e5 or ...c6, while White develops with Bc4 and Nge2 and aims to win e4 back with Ng3. The center stays flexible, and the side that finishes development first gets the better game. If Black keeps the extra pawn too long, White's lead in development can turn into a direct attack.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.21: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.21 3...dxe4 4.d5 Nb8 5.Bc4 Nf6 6.Nge2
- +0.68 3...e5 4.dxe5 d4 5.Nd5 Nge7 6.Bg5
- +0.69 3...e6 4.e5 f6 5.Nf3 fxe5 6.dxe5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,495 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit3...a6 · rare
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit3...g6 · rare
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Heinola-Deppe Gambit3...e5 · rare
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Vehre Variation3...Nf6 · rare
- Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Richter Gambit3...dxe4 · rare
How to play against it
Black, take on e4 and develop with ...Nf6 at once. Do not try to keep the pawn at the cost of development. White, push d5 and develop quickly with Bc4 and Nge2; the e4 pawn will usually fall to Ng3 later.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4.
Questions
What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation?
The Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3. Its ECO code is B00.
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,495 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A tricky choice for White players who like quick development, and Black must not get greedy.
What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation?
White develops the knight and allows ...dxe4. Black takes and develops, and White uses d5, Bc4, Nge2 and Ng3 to win the pawn back with a lead in development.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is dxe4, with e5 and e6 close behind. 3...dxe4 takes the pawn and asks White to prove the development is worth it.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.