Leaving the queen in the centre
On d5 after 3.Nc3 the queen is attacked with tempo. Move it at once, to a5 in this repertoire.
Opening guide · Black against 1.e4
How to play the Scandinavian Defense
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5
The Scandinavian answers 1.e4 with an immediate strike at the centre. After the queen recaptures on d5 and steps to a5, Black gets a sound structure and a plan from move one.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 6
Learn the Scandinavian Defense move by move
You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Choose the structure on move one
- 1...d5 forces the question. White has to decide about the centre at once, and Black avoids most 1.e4 theory.
The queen on a5
- After 3.Nc3 the queen steps to a5, out of the knight’s reach and pinning along the a5–e1 diagonal once d4 is played.
c6 and the light-squared bishop
- ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 follow: a Caro-Kann-like setup, with the bishop outside the pawn chain.
Meet the sidelines in the centre
- Against 2.Nf3, 2.Nc3 or 2.e5, Black keeps fighting for e4 and d4 rather than copying the main line.
The main lines
Main line: 6.Bc4 Bf5
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5
The classical setup: knights out, ...c6 and the bishop to f5.
Early Bd2
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bd2 c6 6.Bd3 Bg4
White unpins with Bd2; the bishop goes to g4 instead.
The b4 gambit
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.b4 Qxb4 5.Rb1 Qd6 6.d4 Nf6
White gives a pawn to chase the queen; it retreats to d6 and Black keeps the extra pawn.
3.Nf3 Bg4
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.O-O O-O-O 6.h3 h5
Without Nc3 the queen stays on d5 and Black castles long.
2.e5 Bf5
1.e4 d5 2.e5 Bf5 3.d4 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Qb6
Against the advance, the bishop comes out before ...e6 and ...c5.
Find the move
6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 6
1.e4
The ideaStrike the centre at once.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Locking the bishop in
Play ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 before ...e6, or the bishop has no good diagonal.
Missing the Nb5 and Bd2 tricks
With the queen on a5, watch for discovered attacks along the a5–e1 diagonal. ...c6 covers b5 and d5.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Scandinavian Defense?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each Black move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Viking Scandinavian teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Scandinavian Defense good for beginners?
Yes. The plan is the same in most lines and Black reaches a healthy structure without a lot of theory. The early queen move is safe as long as it goes straight to a5.
Why does Black move the queen so early?
The queen recaptures on d5 because the pawn trade opens the position for Black. After 3.Nc3 it moves once more, to a5, and then Black develops normally.
What is the best answer to the Scandinavian?
2.exd5 and 3.Nc3 is the main test. White gains a tempo on the queen, but Black’s quick ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5 make up for it.
Learn every line of the Scandinavian Defense
The Viking Scandinavian teaches it as a repertoire: 60 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up