Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne Gambit

The Blackburne Gambit is 2...c6 3.dxc6 Nxc6, where Black recaptures with the knight and stays a pawn down. White wants to finish development and keep the extra pawn, while Black aims for active pieces and a quick ...e5 to grab the center.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 c6 3.dxc6 Nxc6
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.76 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,352 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Nc3 and Nf3, then Bb5 to pin the c6 knight, as in the top engine line.
  • Push d4 when Black's pawn is on e5, so the center opens while you are better developed.
  • Develop the light bishop to c4 or b5 and castle short before going for more.
  • Return the pawn if needed; a safe king and full development matter more here.

Black

  • Push ...e5 to grab the center and free the f8 bishop for ...Bd6 or ...Bc5.
  • Develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bd6, then castle short for quick, active play.
  • Pin the f3 knight with ...Bg4, as in the Bc4 engine line, to add pressure.
  • Push ...e4 when White plays d4, gaining space and kicking the f3 knight.

Plans and pawn structure

Black is a pawn down but has open lines. The plan is ...e5, ...Nf6, ...Bd6 and castling, with ...e4 as a space-gaining push when White's knight sits on f3. White develops with Nc3, Nf3 and Bb5 and aims to break the center with d4 or d3. If White completes development safely, the extra pawn should tell in the long run. If Black's pieces become active first, the gambit gives fair compensation at club level.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.76: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.76 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bb5 e5 6.Nf3 Bd6
  2. +0.71 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bb5 Bd6
  3. +0.71 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,352 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.7%.

under 120050.8%
1200–159950.1%
1600–199951.9%
2000 and up55.3%

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

How to play against it

As White, develop with Nc3, Nf3 and Bb5 and castle. Do not grab more material at the cost of time. Push d4 only when your pieces are ready. As Black, play ...e5 and ...Nf6 fast, keep the pieces active, and use ...e4 to gain space.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne Gambit?

The Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne Gambit starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 c6 3.dxc6 Nxc6. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.76 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 2,352 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.7%. A practical gambit for aggressive Black players, while White should simply develop and castle.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne Gambit?

Black gives a pawn for quick development and central control with ...e5. White aims to complete development and keep the extra pawn.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Nf3 and Bc4 close behind. 4.Nc3 develops and supports Bb5 next to pin the c6 knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.