Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit

The Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit is 2...c6, offering the c-pawn instead of recapturing on d5. White chooses between taking the pawn or declining with d4 or c4, while Black aims for fast development and a share of the center.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 c6
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.74 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,932 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Accept with 3.dxc6, the engine's top choice, and develop with Nf3 and Nc3.
  • Decline with 3.d4, which leads to a symmetrical pawn structure after ...cxd5.
  • Try 3.c4 to hold the pawn on d5 and gain queenside space.
  • Pin with Bb5 once a black knight appears on c6, adding pressure on e5.

Black

  • After 3.dxc6, recapture with ...Nxc6 for a fast lead in development and open lines.
  • Push ...e5 next to grab central space and open the f8 bishop.
  • Against 3.d4, regain the pawn with ...cxd5 and develop calmly with ...Nf6.
  • Use ...Nf6 and ...Bg4 to pressure White's center, as in the d4 and c4 lines.

Plans and pawn structure

If White accepts, the game becomes a gambit with Black down a pawn and ahead in development. If White plays 3.d4 or 3.c4, Black regains the pawn and gets a normal game with a symmetrical or open center. Black's pieces come out with ...Nf6, ...Nc6 and ...Bg4. White's plan is quick development and short castling, then using the extra pawn or the central space.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.74: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.74 3.dxc6 Nxc6 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3 Nf6
  2. +0.21 3.d4 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.h3 Nc6
  3. +0.18 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 cxd5 5.d4 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,932 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.2%.

under 120062.1%
1200–159953.0%
1600–199947.7%
2000 and up51.7%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, take the pawn with 3.dxc6 and develop with Nf3 and Nc3 before anything else. Castle short and keep the extra pawn without grabbing more. As Black, recapture with ...Nxc6 and play ...e5 quickly to free the f8 bishop.

Questions

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

The Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 c6. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.74 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,932 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.2%. A playable surprise for Black, and White does well by accepting and developing calmly.

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

Black gives the c-pawn to speed up development. White can take it or decline with d4 or c4, leading to calmer play.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is dxc6, with d4 and c4 close behind. 3.dxc6 takes the pawn and leads to the Blackburne Gambit.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.