Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack

The Anderssen Counterattack is 4...e5, where Black strikes at d4 right after White's d-pawn arrives. White wants to use the pin on the a5 queen and a lead in development, while Black hopes to free the f8 bishop and trade queens.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 e5
ECO
B01
Engine
+1.12 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
464 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 5.Nf3, then answer ...Bb4 with Bd2, as in the top engine line.
  • After ...exd4 and Nxd4, White's pieces are active and Black's queen still has to move.
  • Taking with 5.dxe5 is simpler and can lead to an early queen trade with a small edge.
  • Check with Bb5+ to provoke ...c6, then move the bishop to c4 aiming at f7.

Black

  • Develop the bishop to b4 at once, pinning the c3 knight to the king.
  • After exchanges on d4, check with ...Qe5+ to force a queen trade.
  • Bring the king's knight to f6 and castle quickly once queens are off.
  • Do not leave the queen loose on a5 when White's bishop lands on d2.

Plans and pawn structure

The center opens fast. White's knights and bishop come out with tempo, and Black's queen on a5 is a target for Bd2 and Nd5 tricks. Black's main plan is ...Bb4 and ...Qe5+ to trade queens and reach a simple endgame. White wants to keep queens when possible and use the lead in development. If queens come off, the game becomes an even, open endgame with chances for both sides.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.12: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.12 5.Nf3 Bb4 6.Bd2 exd4 7.Nxd4 Qe5+
  2. +0.67 5.dxe5 Bb4 6.Bd2 Qxe5+ 7.Qe2 Qxe2+
  3. +0.53 5.Bb5+ c6 6.Bc4 Bb4 7.Ne2 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

464 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.2%.

under 120056.9%
1200–159955.3%
1600–199951.5%

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

Where it goes next

  • Anderssen Counterattack, Collijn Variation5.Nf3 · rare
  • Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack5.dxe5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play 5.Nf3 and develop. Answer ...Bb4 with Bd2 and be ready for ...Qe5+ with Qe2. As Black, know the ...Bb4 and ...Qe5+ idea and do not allow White to gain more time on the queen with Nd5 or Bd2.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack?

The Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 e5. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.12 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 464 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.2%. A sharp choice for Black players who like open play, but White gets an easy lead with natural moves.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack?

Black hits d4 with ...e5 to open the center and free the bishop. The usual follow-up is ...Bb4 and ...Qe5+, aiming for a queen trade.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with dxe5 and Bb5+ close behind. 5.Nf3 develops and prepares to meet ...Bb4 with Bd2.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.