B01 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation

8/8
1.e4d52.exd5Nf63.d4Nxd54.c4Nb4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation247k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
49%120k60%
26%65k37%
11%27k33%
5.9%15k51%
4.1%10k42%
1.5%3.7k53%
1.3%3.1k52%
0.4%1.1k50%
0.4%87438%
0.1%28039%
Famous games in this line19 master games
Kozlov, Stanislav (2336)Popov, Valerij (2570)20091–0Jonkman, Harmen (2410)Hoogendoorn, Joost (2391)20010–1Pelikian, Jefferson (2385)Silveira, Flavio Marques (2385)19971–0Abreu Delgado, Aryam (2442)Cruz Ravina, Francisco Javier (2303)20051–0Mrva, Martin (2415)Krajnak, Martin (2290)19981–0Pritchett, Craig William (2340)Tan, Lian Ann (2340)19701–0Guedes Jr., Dorgival Olavo (2348)Hausdorf, Heinz (2287)20111–0Zigo, Viktor (2340)Belaska, Premysl (2290)19990–1
Heroes of this opening Kozlov, Stanislav · Hoogendoorn, Joost · Pelikian, Jefferson · Abreu Delgado, Aryam
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B01
Line
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5 4. c4 Nb4
Read the guide: Scandinavian DefenseExplore all 45 Scandinavian Defense lines
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
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