Opening Overview

Scandinavian Defense

45 lines
black repertoire

About This Opening

Black challenges White's center immediately and accepts a queen exposure theme.

These structures usually reward accurate development, good piece coordination, and patience before committing to pawn breaks.

The practical edge often comes from knowing the main pawn structures and where each side wants counterplay, rather than memorizing long forcing lines.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: sound structure and flexible plans.
  • Most plans revolve around piece activity and pawn breaks at the right moment.
  • Best for players who want reliable positions and clear structure.
  • Learn the standard middlegame plans, not just the first moves.

Choose a variation

Scandinavian Defense
B01 2 plies
1. e4 d5
Scandinavian Defense
B01 3 plies
1. e4 d5 2. b3
Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack
B01 8 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5
Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Collijn Variation
B01 10 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. Nf3 Bg4
Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Goteborg System
B01 9 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. Nf3
Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack
B01 13 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2
Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne Gambit
B01 6 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 c6 3. dxc6 Nxc6
Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit
B01 4 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 c6
Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit
B01 6 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 e5 3. dxe6 Bxe6
Scandinavian Defense: Bronstein Variation
B01 10 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 a6
Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation
B01 10 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5
Scandinavian Defense: Grünfeld Variation
B01 13 plies
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Ne5 c6 7. g4
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