ECO B01 · Scandinavian Defense

Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. Bb5+ c6

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

5. dxc6+0.57

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation (B01), reached after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. Bb5+ c6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. dxc6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.57).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.575. dxc6 Nxc6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. Nf3 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 Bh5
  2. −0.035. f3 Qa5+ 6. Qd2 Qxd2+ 7. Bxd2 cxb5 8. fxg4 Nxd5 9. Nf3 e6
  3. −0.085. Be2 Bxe2 6. Qxe2 cxd5 7. c3 e6 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bf4 Bd6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation?
After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. Bb5+ c6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. dxc6 for White, continuing Nxc6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. Nf3 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 Bh5. White is slightly better (+0.57). The next best moves are 5. f3 (−0.03) and 5. Be2 (−0.08).
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.57: 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: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow 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+).