ECO B01 · Scandinavian Defense

Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7… Bg4+0.73

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack (B01), reached after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… Bg4 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.73).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.737… Bg4 8. a3 Nd4 9. Bb5+ c6 10. O-O Bxf3 11. axb4 Bxd1 12. bxa5
  2. +1.337… Nge7 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Qd5 10. Qxd5 Nxd5 11. Bd2 Bg4 12. O-O-O
  3. +1.507… Be6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Qc5 10. Bd3 O-O-O 11. Qe2 Nge7 12. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack?
After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… Bg4 for Black, continuing 8. a3 Nd4 9. Bb5+ c6 10. O-O Bxf3 11. axb4 Bxd1 12. bxa5. White is slightly better (+0.73). The next best moves are 7… Nge7 (+1.33) and 7… Be6 (+1.50).
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.73: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Scandinavian Defense: Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack?
B01. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).