Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation of the Nimzowitsch Scandinavian is 3.exd5 Qxd5, where Black recaptures with the queen and now attacks d4 twice. White must guard d4 and develop with tempo, while Black aims for ...e5 and quick piece play.
- Moves
- 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5
- ECO
- B00
- Engine
- +0.25 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 3,254 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 4.Nf3, the engine's first choice, which guards d4 and prepares Nc3 to hit the queen.
- Try Be3 and c4, as in the second engine line, to gain space and push the queen around.
- After ...e5 and ...Bb4, play Bd2 to break the pin and keep the c3 knight useful.
- Do not play Nc3 at once without care; it leaves d4 to ...Qxd4, the Marshall Gambit.
Black
- Play ...e5 to hit d4 and open lines for the f8 bishop, as all top engine lines show.
- Use ...Bb4 to pin the c3 knight, and take on c3 when it damages White's pawns.
- Keep the queen safe from tempo moves; a5 and d7 are useful retreat squares.
- Develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bg4 to add pressure on d4 and on the f3 knight.
Plans and pawn structure
Black has an active queen on d5, but it can become a target. White develops with Nf3 and Nc3, or with Be3 and c4, gaining time on the queen. Black plays ...e5 and ...Bb4 to fight for d4 and e4. If the center opens, Black's pieces become active and ...e4 can gain space, as in the top engine line. If White keeps d4 solid, Black's queen may be pushed around and White's extra development tells.
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 +0.25: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.25 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Bd2 Bxc3
- +0.20 4.Be3 e5 5.c4 Qa5+ 6.Bd2 Bb4
- +0.09 4.Ne2 e6 5.Be3 Nf6 6.a3 Qd7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
3,254 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall Gambit4.Nc3 · 526 games
How to play against it
White, guard d4 with 4.Nf3 or 4.Be3 before playing Nc3, because an immediate Nc3 loses the d4 pawn. Then develop with tempo and avoid early queen trades. Black, play ...e5 and develop quickly, and keep the queen ready to retreat.
Questions
What are the moves of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation?
The Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation starts 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5. Its ECO code is B00.
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.25 at depth 20, which is level. In 3,254 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.7%. A playable choice for Black players who like open games, and White gets easy development with simple moves.
What is the main idea of the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation?
Black's queen recaptures on d5 and pressures d4. White protects d4 and develops with tempo, while Black plays ...e5 and ...Bb4 to fight for the center.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf3, with Be3 and Ne2 close behind. 4.Nf3 develops and protects d4, so Black's queen and knight cannot win it.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.