Short answer: The Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5) is a direct way to meet 1.e4. You hit the centre on move one, take the pawn back with your queen, then aim for a simple setup with ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5. The first few moves barely change from game to game, so there is far less to memorise than in a Sicilian or a Ruy Lopez.
The moves you need to know
Here is the main line, the one you will see most often:
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5, you recapture with 2...Qxd5. The queen comes out early, so White plays 3.Nc3 to gain a tempo. Your queen has to move again. The most popular square is a5, which keeps an eye on the e1-a5 diagonal and the d2 square. Qd6 and Qd8 are playable too, but start with a5.
The plan: three jobs, in this order
Black's setup is easier to remember as three jobs rather than a list of moves:
- Get the queen to safety. ...Qa5 is the normal square.
- Develop around the queen. ...Nf6, ...c6, then ...Bf5 before you play ...e6, so the bishop is not locked in behind its own pawns.
- Castle and finish with ...e6. Your structure is solid, and you have a clear plan: play against the centre with ...c5 or ...e5 when the pieces are ready.
This is the position to recognise. The pawn on c6 guards the queen's retreat and stops White's knight jumping to b5. The bishop is outside the pawn chain, which is what makes the setup work.
What White does on move 2
Most players recapture, but not all of them. This is what Lichess games show, taken from the data inside the Opening Mastery Trainer:
| White's move 2 | How often | White wins | Black wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.exd5 (main line) | 54% | 49% | 47% | 4% |
| 2.e5 | 18% | 49% | 47% | 4% |
| 2.Nf3 | 13% | 47% | 50% | 3% |
| 2.Nc3 | 9% | 48% | 48% | 4% |
Overall, the opening scores 49% for White, 47% for Black and 4% draws. That is close to even, which is what you want from a defence you can learn quickly.
2.e5 is the one that surprises people. It looks like it wins space, but you can answer it with ...c5 and ...Bf5 and get an easy game. Engines rate it as roughly equal.
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.
Three mistakes to avoid
- Playing ...e6 too early. It shuts in your light-squared bishop. Develop it to f5 first.
- Skipping ...c6. Without it, your queen has fewer safe squares and White's knight gets ideas on b5.
- Moving the queen again and again. After ...Qa5, finish your development before you touch it.
Try it yourself
Reading a line once and playing it from memory are different skills. 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. Black to move. How do you win the pawn back?
Show the answer
2...Qxd5. It is the move to learn first. 2...Nf6 also works, but it is a different kind of game.
Position 2. Black to move. Your queen is attacked. Where does it go?
Show the answer
3...Qa5 is the most popular. Qd6 and Qd8 are fine alternatives.
Position 3. Black to move. How do you develop the light-squared bishop?
Show the answer
6...Bf5. Get it out before you play ...e6 and close it in.
Questions people ask
Is the Scandinavian Defense good for beginners?
Yes. The first moves are almost always the same, the setup is easy to remember and you are never short of a plan. That makes it one of the easier ways to answer 1.e4.
Is the Scandinavian Defense sound?
Yes. White keeps a small edge, as they do in most openings, but Black's position is solid and playable at every level.
What is the main line of the Scandinavian Defense?
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5. This is the line players reach most often.
How long does it take to learn the Scandinavian Defense?
A few evenings to learn the main line and the setup. Knowing it well enough to play it without thinking takes regular, short recall practice rather than long study sessions.
Where to go next
If you want the full picture, with every variation laid out, read the complete Scandinavian Defense guide. It covers the main lines, the traps and when to play it.
Want to try the Scandinavian before you commit to it? There is a free Scandinavian Defense sample you can start on today. And if you are still deciding between openings, the free 2-minute quiz will suggest one that fits how you play.
Make it stick
One payment of £27 ($35), yours for life. Five minutes a day, 150+ openings, and it works offline. If it isn't for you, there's a money-back guarantee.
Win rates and line popularity come from Lichess games, compiled in the Chess Cheat Sheets Opening Mastery Trainer data.
