Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation

The Marshall Variation is 2...Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5, where Black regains the pawn with the knight. White aims to use space with c4 or quick development, while Black keeps a solid position and looks for ...Bf5 or ...Bg4.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.58 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,536 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.Nf3, the top engine move, then Bd3 to trade off Black's light bishop.
  • Push c4 to kick the knight and gain central space, then Nc3 and Nf3.
  • The quiet Be2 setup keeps options open and castles quickly before pushing c4.
  • Use the extra central pawn to build a strong d4 and c4 center.

Black

  • Develop the light bishop to f5 or g4 before ...e6 to keep it active.
  • Retreat the knight to f6 or b6 if c4 kicks it, keeping pressure on d4.
  • Play ...c6 to secure the d5 square and ...e6 for a compact setup.
  • Use ...c5 to break White's center once the kingside pieces are developed.

Plans and pawn structure

White has a pawn on d4 and more space, while Black has no d-pawn. White aims for c4 and Nc3 to gain central control, then castles and plays in the center. Black develops with ...Bf5, ...e6 and ...Be7, then strikes with ...c5 or plays ...c6 and ...Nbd7. The game is often balanced if Black finishes development and avoids wasting time with the knight.

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 +0.58: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.58 4.Nf3 Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 c6
  2. +0.57 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c5 6.Nc3 cxd4
  3. +0.43 4.Be2 Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.a3 Be7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,536 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.7%.

under 120060.1%
1200–159958.9%
1600–199952.3%
2000 and up52.0%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, develop the light bishop early and retreat the knight to f6 or b6 if c4 kicks it. Avoid the dubious ...Nb4 jump after c4. As White, use c4 and Nf3 to gain space, develop quickly and castle before opening the center.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation?

The Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.58 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,536 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.7%. A solid line for Black players who like simple development, while White gets easy space with c4.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation?

Black regains the pawn with the knight and keeps a sound position. White uses space with c4 or develops quickly with Nf3 and Bd3.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with c4 and Be2 close behind. 4.Nf3 develops and prepares Bd3 to trade off Black's light bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.