ECO B01 · Scandinavian Defense

Scandinavian Defense: Main Line

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5

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

4. a3+0.58

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line (B01), reached after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. a3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.58).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.584. a3 Nf6 5. b4 Qb6 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d4 a5 8. b5 Nbd7
  2. +0.574. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 c6 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. Qe2 e6
  3. +0.544. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. a4 Bf5 7. Ne5 Nbd7 8. Nc4 Qc7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line?
After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. a3 for White, continuing Nf6 5. b4 Qb6 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d4 a5 8. b5 Nbd7. White is slightly better (+0.58). The next best moves are 4. Nf3 (+0.57) and 4. d4 (+0.54).
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.58: 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: Main Line?
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+).