Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense

The Gubinsky-Melts Defense is 3...Qd6, retreating the queen to d6 instead of a5 after Nc3 hits it. White wants to gain time on the queen with Nb5 and Bf4 ideas, while Black aims for a compact setup with ...Nf6, ...c6 and a later ...g6.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.66 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
4,179 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with Nf3 and d4, then jump the knight to e5, as both top engine lines do.
  • Look for Nb5 to hit the d6 queen and the c7 pawn while Black lacks ...c6.
  • Bring the bishop to f4 after d4 to gain a tempo on the queen.
  • The quieter Be2 setup castles first and keeps the knight jumps in reserve.

Black

  • Play ...c6 early so a knight on b5 never hits the d6 queen.
  • Fianchetto with ...g6 and ...Bg7, as in the engine lines, to answer Ne5 with pressure on d4.
  • Use ...Nh5 to hit a bishop on f4 and gain the bishop pair.
  • Develop the light bishop to e6 or f5 before playing ...e6 so it stays active.

Plans and pawn structure

The queen on d6 is close to the center and covers e5, but it can be attacked by Nb5 and Bf4. White develops Nf3, d4, Bf4 or Bc4, castles, and uses the e5 square for a knight. Black plays ...c6, ...Nf6 and ...g6 with ...Bg7, aiming the bishop at d4. The game is often balanced if Black finishes development, and the half-open e-file is White's main source of pressure.

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 +0.66: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.66 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.d4 c6 6.Ne5 g6
  2. +0.66 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 g6
  3. +0.38 4.Be2 a6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.d4 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

4,179 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.3%.

under 120055.6%
1200–159949.3%
1600–199949.9%
2000 and up49.6%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, play ...c6 before White's knight reaches b5, and prepare a retreat for the queen. As White, keep developing with Nf3 and d4 and use Bf4 to gain time. Do not let the queen settle comfortably on d6 while you are slow.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense?

The Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.66 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 4,179 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.3%. A solid modern choice for Black players who know the ...c6 and ...g6 setup, and White gets a small, steady edge with fast development.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense?

Black retreats the queen to d6, keeping it central and covering e5. White develops quickly and tries to gain time with Nb5 and Bf4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with d4 and Be2 close behind. 4.Nf3 develops a piece and keeps d4 and Ne5 ready.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.