Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation

The Modern Variation is 2...Nf6, where Black delays recapturing on d5 and develops the knight first. White can transpose to queen lines with Nf3 or d4, or try to keep the pawn with c4, while Black wants to take back on d5 at a good moment.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6
ECO
B01
Engine
+0.62 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
23,601 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 3.Nf3 or 3.d4; after ...Qxd5 and Nc3, the game reaches ...Qa5 main lines with Ne5 ideas.
  • Hold the pawn with c4, but expect Black to get quick development and pressure on d4 in return.
  • The 3.Be2 line invites ...c6 and lets White give the pawn back for a calm setup with d3.
  • Do not chase the extra pawn with Bb5+ and other checks if it delays castling.

Black

  • Take back on d5 with the queen or knight depending on what White does next.
  • After 3.d4, ...Nxd5 gives the Marshall setup with ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 to follow.
  • Against c4, use ...c6 or ...e6 to open lines and gain time.
  • Develop quickly; the extra tempo comes from White spending moves on the d5 pawn.

Plans and pawn structure

This move order gives Black flexibility. If White plays naturally with Nf3 or d4, Black recaptures on d5 and reaches familiar Scandinavian structures with a white pawn on d4 and no Black d-pawn. If White tries c4, the game turns into a gambit-style fight where Black develops quickly and pressures the center. White's plan is to develop, castle, and use space without overextending.

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 +0.62: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.62 3.Nf3 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qa5 5.d4 Bf5
  2. +0.60 3.d4 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qa5 5.Nf3 Bf5
  3. +0.50 3.Be2 c6 4.dxc6 Nxc6 5.d3 e5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

23,601 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.6%.

under 120050.9%
1200–159948.9%
1600–199949.8%
2000 and up50.0%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, develop with Nf3 or d4 and let Black recapture. Do not hold onto the pawn at the cost of development. As Black, recapture at the right moment and avoid giving White an easy center with c4 and d4 unchallenged.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4.

Questions

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

The Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.62 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 23,601 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.6%. A flexible option for Black players who know both the knight and queen recaptures, and White does well with calm development.

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

Black develops the knight before recapturing on d5, keeping options open. White chooses between natural development and trying to keep the pawn with c4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with d4 and Be2 close behind. 3.Nf3 develops and lets Black recapture with the queen, reaching main lines.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.