ECO B01 · for Black
Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
10,310,189 games in this band reached the Modern Variation position. From there Black won 49% and drew 4%.
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nxd5 4. Nxd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O O-O-O 8. d3 e5 9. Be3
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... d5
Immediately breaking in the center and forcing White to make a decision.
2. exd5
Exchanging pawns, going into the Scandinavian opening.
2... Nf6
Developing a knight and preparing to recapture the pawn on the next move. This move also allows for quick castling.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 Nxd5 4. Nxd5 Qxd5
3. Nc3
Developing the knight and supporting the d5 pawn, which can still be captured but white maight follow up with Bc4.
- 3. c4: Supporting the d5 pawn and aiming to keep the extra pawn.
- 3. d4: Advancing the d-pawn to gain space and preparing to kick the knight with c4 once it recaptures on d5.
- 3. Nf3: Developing the knight but remaining very flexible, white can continue with any plan later.
3... Nxd5
Recapturing the pawn and centralizing the knight.
4. Nxd5
Trading off the knights, allowing black to centralize the queen without it being kicked away from d5. This makes d5 a strong outpost for the queen.
4... Qxd5
Recapturing the knight and centralizing the queen where it is very well placed.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 Nc6
5. Nf3
Developing the knight while remaining flexible. White can continue developing normally and win a tempo on the queen with Nc3 when he chooses.
- 5. d4: Expanding in the center and establishing a space advantage.
5... Bg4
6. Be2
6... Nc6
Moves 7 to 9
7. O-O O-O-O 8. d3 e5 9. Be3
7. O-O
7... O-O-O
8. d3
8... e5
9. Be3
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The bishop on g4 typically captures the bishop on e2
- The knight on c6 often moves to d4
- Common pawn moves are h5, g5, f6, f5, and f4
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black