Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Main Line

The Scandinavian Main Line is 2...Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5, where the queen steps to a5 after Nc3 attacks it. White wants a big center with d4 and quick development, while Black aims for ...Nf6, ...c6 and a light bishop on f5 or g4.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.67 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
26,661 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.d4 and develop with Nf3 or Bc4, as in the top engine line.
  • Use Bd2 to unpin the c3 knight and set up Nd5 tricks against the a5 queen.
  • Place the bishop on c4 to aim at f7 and prepare Qe2 and long castling.
  • The b4 gambit is a sharp option that throws a pawn at the queen, but it needs precise follow-up.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5 or ...Bg4, keeping every pawn protected.
  • Use the pin on c3 to pressure e4 and d4 from a5.
  • Retreat the queen to c7 or b6 later when White plays Bd2.
  • Castle short and look for ...c5 or ...e5 to strike White's center.

Plans and pawn structure

After 4.d4, White has a pawn on d4 while Black has no d-pawn, so the e-file and the e5 square matter. White develops with Nf3, Bc4 or Bd2, then castles or goes long and plays for space. Black builds a sturdy structure with ...c6 and ...e6, places the light bishop on f5 or g4, and castles short. The main fight is over e5 and d4, with Black aiming for ...c5 or ...e5 when ready.

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 +0.67: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.67 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 Bg4 6.Ne2 e6
  2. +0.62 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.d4 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5
  3. +0.61 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.d4 Bg4 6.Ne2 e6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

26,661 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.3%.

under 120051.6%
1200–159949.2%
1600–199948.7%
2000 and up50.2%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, play 4.d4 and develop quickly with Nf3 and Bc4. Use Bd2 to unpin and gain time on the queen. As Black, play ...Nf6 and ...c6 early and avoid leaving the queen loose on a5 when Nd5 tricks appear.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line?

The Scandinavian Defense: Main Line starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.67 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 26,661 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.3%. A popular choice for Black players who like solid positions with clear plans, and White needs active development to keep an edge.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line?

Black brings the queen to a5 early and sets up a solid ...c6 and ...Bf5 structure. White builds the center with d4 and quick development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with Nf3 and Bc4 close behind. 4.d4 builds the center and opens the c1 bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.