ECO B01 · Scandinavian Defense

Scandinavian Defense: Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nge2 Bf5 7. Bf4 Qb4

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

8. Bb3+0.45

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Scandinavian Defense: Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation (B01), reached after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nge2 Bf5 7. Bf4 Qb4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Bb3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.45).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.458. Bb3 e6 9. h4 h6 10. a3 Qa5 11. Ng3 Bh7 12. Qf3 Be7
  2. +0.418. Bd3 Bg6 9. a3 Qb6 10. b4 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 e6 12. O-O Be7
  3. +0.178. b3 e6 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Bc7 Rc8 11. a3 Qe7 12. Ba5 Nb6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Scandinavian Defense: Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation?
After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nge2 Bf5 7. Bf4 Qb4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Bb3 for White, continuing e6 9. h4 h6 10. a3 Qa5 11. Ng3 Bh7 12. Qf3 Be7. White is slightly better (+0.45). The next best moves are 8. Bd3 (+0.41) and 8. b3 (+0.17).
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.45: 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: Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern 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+).