B01 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line

10/10
1.e4d52.exd5Qxd53.Nc3Qd84.d4Nf65.Nf3Bg4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line792k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
51%405k51%
16%130k55%
11%85k53%
9.6%76k52%
5.9%46k51%
2.3%18k50%
1.8%14k50%
0.9%7.2k48%
0.4%3.1k51%
0.3%2.6k51%
Famous games in this line323 master games
Caruana, F. (2801)Carlsen, M. (2877)20140–1Carlsen, M. (2877)Djukic, Ni (2521)20141–0Nepomniachtchi, I. (2755)Rakhmanov, Ale (2585)20241–0Karjakin, Sergey (2786)Iotov, V. (2553)20140–1Dominguez Perez, L. (2739)Pichot, A. (2552)20181–0Mamedov, Rauf (2645)Kuzubov, Yuriy (2635)2009½–½Pridorozhni, A.. (2590)Rakhmanov, Ale (2651)2020½–½Navara, David (2708)Szabo, Gergely Andras (2525)20101–0
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M. · Nepomniachtchi, I. · Iotov, V. · Dominguez Perez, L.
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B01
Line
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4
Read the guide: Scandinavian DefenseExplore all 45 Scandinavian Defense lines
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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.

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