ECO B01 · Scandinavian Defense

Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5 4. c4 Nb4

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

5. a3+1.19

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation (B01), reached after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5 4. c4 Nb4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. a3 for White. White is clearly better (+1.19).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.195. a3 N4a6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Be2 Nc6 9. d5 Ne5
  2. +0.735. Qa4+ N8c6 6. a3 Na6 7. d5 Nc5 8. Qd1 Ne5 9. b4 Ncd7
  3. +0.615. d5 c6 6. a3 N4a6 7. Nf3 e6 8. Nc3 exd5 9. cxd5 Nc7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation?
After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5 4. c4 Nb4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. a3 for White, continuing N4a6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Be2 Nc6 9. d5 Ne5. White is clearly better (+1.19). The next best moves are 5. Qa4+ (+0.73) and 5. d5 (+0.61).
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.19: white is clearly 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: Kiel Variation?
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+).