Scandinavian Defence: main line, ideas and how to practise it

Against 1.e4 as Black. A main line to learn move by move, with the idea behind each key move.

The main line

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Bc4 Bf5 7. Bd2 e6

You play Black. In the analyzer's drill the other side's moves are played for you and Stockfish checks each of yours.

Practise it with free drillsAnalyze one of your own games

The ideas behind the moves

• 1... d5: Challenge e4 immediately.
• 3... Qa5: The queen steps aside to a5, where it pins down the c3 knight's diagonal.
• 5... c6: Gives the queen a retreat and controls d5.
• 6... Bf5: The bishop develops before ...e6 locks it in.

Legends who played it

• Anatoly Karpov: 13 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 65% score
• Alexander Alekhine: 11 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 64% score
• Magnus Carlsen: 11 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 68% score
• Emanuel Lasker: 9 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 67% score
• Mikhail Tal: 4 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 88% score
• Bobby Fischer: 4 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 100% score
• Paul Morphy: 3 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 83% score
• Wilhelm Steinitz: 3 games in the Scandinavian Defense, 100% score

More openings to learn

• Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo
  1.e4 e5 for White
• Ruy Lopez: Closed
  1.e4 e5 for White
• Scotch Game
  1.e4 e5 for White
• Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox
  1.d4 for White
• London System
  1.d4 for White
• Sicilian Najdorf: English Attack
  Against 1.e4 as Black
• Caro-Kann: Classical
  Against 1.e4 as Black
• French Defence: Advance
  Against 1.e4 as Black
• King's Indian: Classical
  Against 1.d4 as Black
• Queen's Gambit Declined: Tartakower
  Against 1.d4 as Black