B01 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation

10/10
1.e4d52.exd5Qxd53.Nc3Qa54.d4Nf65.Nf3Bf5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation243k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
32%78k48%
25%60k50%
21%51k51%
6%15k47%
4.9%12k62%
2.7%6.6k48%
2.5%6.2k47%
1.7%4.1k51%
1.4%3.3k45%
1.4%3.3k45%
Famous games in this line1.1k master games
Firouzja, Alireza (2759) – Carlsen, M. (2847)20211–0Dominguez Perez, L. (2758) – Carlsen, M. (2847)2021½–½Caruana, F. (2819) – Mamedyarov, S. (2774)2019½–½Anand, V. (2764) – Mamedyarov, S. (2765)20190–1Karjakin, Sergey (2750) – Mamedyarov, S. (2764)2019½–½Kramnik, V. (2753) – Mamedyarov, S. (2734)20231–0Leko, Peter (2732) – Fressinet, Laurent (2700)20120–1Nepomniachtchi, I. (2763) – Kovalenko, I. (2657)2018½–½
Heroes of this opening Firouzja, Alireza · Mamedyarov, S. · Kramnik, V. · Fressinet, Laurent
Family
Scandinavian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B01
Line
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5
★ Read the guide: Scandinavian DefenseExplore all 45 Scandinavian Defense lines →
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Scandinavian Defense: Grünfeld VariationB01 6.Ne5 c6 7.g4
Nearby lines in the family
Scandinavian Defense: Bronstein VariationB01 3…Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main LineB01 3…Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Ilundain VariationB01 3…Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6
From the archives

The oldest recorded game of modern chess — Valencia, 1475, 'Scachs d'amor' — opened 1.e4 d5. Five centuries later the Scandinavian is still the most direct answer to 1.e4: force matters immediately, accept the early queen move, and rely on a rock-solid structure. Larsen even used it to beat Karpov.

Study this opening
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