Short answer: Beat the Scandinavian Defense by taking the pawn, then using your development lead. After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3, the queen must move again. Play d4, Nf3, Bc4 and Bd2, castle, and use your extra space. You do not need a sharp gambit. Just develop faster than Black's queen can retreat.
Why does the Scandinavian look annoying?
Black attacks your e-pawn on move one, so many players panic and push 2.e5 or ignore the centre altogether. That is the wrong reaction. The Scandinavian brings the queen out early, and the queen is the piece you can chase. Every tempo you gain on it is a tempo towards your own development.
Black's results are not bad, so do not expect a free win. Lichess games in the Opening Mastery Trainer data show the opening scoring 49% for White, 47% for Black and 4% draws. Your job is to reach a position you understand, and outplay the other player from there.
What should you play on move 2?
Take the pawn: 2.exd5. It is the main line and it gives Black the fewest easy options.
| Move 2 | How often | White wins | Black wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.exd5 | 54% | 49% | 47% | 4% |
| 2.e5 | 18% | 49% | 47% | 4% |
| 2.Nf3 | 13% | 47% | 50% | 3% |
| 2.Nc3 | 9% | 48% | 48% | 4% |
2.Nf3 and 2.Nc3 score slightly worse for White. 2.e5 scores about the same as 2.exd5, but it gives up the pawn tension and leaves you with a plan to find. Take the pawn and the plan writes itself.
How do you meet 2...Qxd5?
Play 3.Nc3 and the queen has to move. Black will nearly always go to a5.
Your plan has three parts:
- Build the centre. d4 and Nf3 are automatic. Do not hurry to castle until your bishops are out.
- Aim the bishops at Black's weak points. Bc4 eyes f7, and Bd2 unpins the knight on c3 so you can play Nd5 or Ne4 later.
- Keep the queen busy. Black's queen on a5 is exposed to ideas on the a5-e1 diagonal. Do not let Black's pieces pile up around it.
The engine puts this position at roughly +0.8 to +1.0 for White. That is a comfortable edge for a player who knows what to do next. The point to remember is 8.Nd5. Take it with the pawn, 8...cxd5, and 9.Bxa5 wins the queen. Black has to play 8...Qd8, and you keep the initiative.
Don't just read about the Scandinavian Defense. Practise it.
Reading a line once and recalling it in a real game are different skills. The Opening Mastery Trainer tests you on the Scandinavian Defense (and 150+ other openings) with short daily practice, offline, no account needed.
How do you meet 2...Nf6?
Black's other main try is to attack the pawn with a knight instead. This is where players who play the white side get less sure.
Play 3.d4. If 3...Nxd5, you can choose between 4.c4 and 4.Nf3. 4.c4 hits the knight and takes space, and 4...Nb6 leaves you with a big pawn centre.
Engines like this for White, at about +1.0. You do not need to calculate anything. Just keep developing and let Black deal with the lack of space.
Three mistakes to avoid
- Pushing 2.e5 out of fear. It saves a pawn, but gives Black a calm game. 2.exd5 is simpler.
- Chasing the queen with no plan. Moves like Nb5 and Qf3 waste time. Develop a piece with each move.
- Going for a gambit too early. 2.d4 is a gambit that Lichess data labels the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, and it is rare. Learn the main line first.
Try it yourself
Reading a plan once and playing it are different things. Cover the answers and see how you do.
Try it yourself
Three quick positions. Say your move out loud before you open the answer.
Position 1. White to move. Black's pawn attacks yours. What do you play?
Show the answer
2.exd5. Take the pawn and make Black spend a queen move getting it back.
Position 2. White to move. Black's queen is out early. How do you gain a tempo?
Show the answer
3.Nc3. It develops a piece and attacks the queen at the same time.
Position 3. White to move. How do you take more space and attack the knight?
Show the answer
4.c4. The knight has to retreat and your centre grows.
Questions people ask
What is the best move against the Scandinavian Defense?
The most useful reply to the Scandinavian Defense is 2.exd5. It wins a pawn for the moment and leads to the main lines, where White develops with tempo and keeps a small, comfortable edge.
Should White play 2.e5 against the Scandinavian Defense?
2.e5 is playable, but it scores about the same as 2.exd5 and gives you less to aim for. Most players against the Scandinavian Defense find it easier to take on d5 and develop.
Is the Scandinavian Defense good for Black?
It is sound, and not a bad choice for Black. The Scandinavian Defense scores 49% for White and 47% for Black in Lichess games, so White's edge is small and depends on knowing the plans.
How do you stop the Scandinavian Defense queen coming out early?
You cannot stop it, but you can use it. After 2...Qxd5 3.Nc3, the queen must move again, and each retreat gives White a free developing move.
Where to go next
If you want the full picture of the opening from both sides, read the complete Scandinavian Defense guide. If you want the Black view, see how to play the Scandinavian Defense.
Still choosing your own openings? The free 2-minute quiz will suggest a repertoire that fits how you play.
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Win rates and line popularity come from Lichess games, compiled in the Chess Cheat Sheets Opening Mastery Trainer data.
