---
title: "Scandinavian Defense: Moves and Win Rates"
url: "https://georgelichess.com/openings/scandinavian-defense.md"
canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/openings/scandinavian-defense"
last_updated: "2026-11-10"
type: "reference"
summary: "The Scandinavian Defense explained by an International Master: the two ways to recapture, plans for both sides, typical mistakes and how it scores."
related: ["https://georgelichess.com/chess-opening-statistics/scandinavian-defense.md", "https://georgelichess.com/openings.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/early-queen-move.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-principles.md", "https://georgelichess.com/pricing.md", "https://georgelichess.com/book.md"]
---

# Scandinavian Defense: Moves and Win Rates

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The Scandinavian Defense explained by an International Master: the two ways to recapture, plans for both sides, typical mistakes and how it scores.

The Scandinavian Defense begins 1.e4 d5. Black challenges the center on move one and accepts that White will take the pawn, because Black can take back at once. It is one of the easiest defenses against 1.e4 to learn, since the plan is the same in almost every game, but it breaks the usual rule against early queen moves, and a careless Black player can lose time.

## The two ways to recapture

After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Black has two choices. The classical reply is 2...Qxd5, taking the pawn with the queen. The modern reply is 2...Nf6, which develops a piece and aims to take the pawn back with the knight, avoiding the loss of time that comes from moving the queen.

The queen line looks risky because White attacks it with Nc3. But the queen retreats to a5 or d8 and Black's setup is safe. After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 the queen is out of the center and on the a5-e1 diagonal where it looks at the knight on c3. Once the d-pawn moves, as in 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4, the knight is pinned to the king.

**Diagram: The main Scandinavian: Black has a solid pawn on c6, a developed bishop outside the pawn chain and a safe queen** Moves: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Bc4 Bf5. Position (FEN): `rn2kb1r/pp2pppp/2p2n2/q4b2/2BP4/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 2 7`. Arrows: a5 to c3, f5 to c2.

In the modern line Black plays 2...Nf6. After 3.d4 Black takes the pawn with 3...Nxd5 and develops, often with ...g6 and ...Bg7. White has more space, but Black's position is flexible.

**Diagram: The modern Scandinavian: White has the space, Black has the piece play and an easy plan with ...e5 or ...d6** Moves: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5 4. Nf3 g6 5. Be2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. c4 Nb6 8. Nc3 Nc6. Position (FEN): `r1bq1rk1/ppp1ppbp/1nn3p1/8/2PP4/2N2N2/PP2BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 3 9`. Arrows: g7 to d4.

## The retreat to d8

Black has a second queen retreat that keeps the queen off the a5-e1 diagonal altogether. After 3.Nc3 Qd8 the queen goes home, and Black has lost nothing but a tempo while White has put a knight on its natural square. The structure is solid and gives Black the choice of a bishop on g4 or f5 and a pawn on c6 or e6.

**Diagram: The retreat to d8: Black has traded the light bishop for a knight and has a healthy position with a small space deficit** Moves: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 e6 8. Bd3 c6. Position (FEN): `rn1qkb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pn2/8/3P4/2NB1Q1P/PPP2PP1/R1B1K2R w KQkq - 0 9`. Arrows: g4 to f3.

The point of 3...Qd8 is simplicity. White gets some extra space, and Black gets a position without weaknesses. Neither side is in a hurry, and the player who understands the plan of trading pieces and restraining the d4 and e4 breaks usually does better. Black can exchange the bishop for a knight with ...Bg4 and ...Bxf3 if White allows it, and then build with ...e6, ...c5 or ...c6. White's most useful plan is to keep the pieces on and play for a kingside attack or an advance of the e-pawn.

## How it scores

The table is computed from the public Lichess database.

| Rating band | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | White score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| under 1200 | 16,863 | 50.3% | 4.0% | 45.7% | 52.3% (plus or minus 0.7) |
| 1200 to 1599 | 33,160 | 49.5% | 3.9% | 46.6% | 51.5% (plus or minus 0.5) |
| 1600 to 1999 | 31,645 | 48.5% | 4.5% | 47.0% | 50.8% (plus or minus 0.5) |
| 2000 and above | 4,676 | 46.8% | 5.8% | 47.4% | 49.7% (plus or minus 1.4) |

The table sums 86,344 rated Blitz, Rapid and Classical games on Lichess played on 1 September 2026 between players within 100 rating points of each other, banded by the lower rating. White scored 51.3% (plus or minus 0.3 points) overall. A score counts a win as 1 and a draw as one half. One day of games is a sample, so read small gaps between bands as noise.

The numbers are unusual for a defense. White scores 51.3 percent overall, and the score drops as the rating rises: 52.3 percent under 1200 and 49.7 percent above 2000. That means the Scandinavian works better against stronger players, who have to know exact lines to get an edge, and less well against beginners, who often develop their pieces more quickly than the queen can move. The lesson is practical: if you play the Scandinavian, learn the development patterns in the first ten moves.

## Plans for Black

Black has a plan in every line, and it is a simple one. Develop the pieces to active squares without losing time, avoid moving the queen a third time and play the c-pawn to c6 to give the queen a retreat. The bishop from c8 goes out to f5 or g4 before ...e6, since that is the whole point of the opening, to solve the French bishop problem.

After the queen retreats, Black's next moves are ...Nf6, ...c6 and ...Bf5 and then ...e6. Black castles short, and the position is solid and lasting.

## Plans for White

White has two reasonable approaches. The first is to build a big center with d4 and c4 and use the space to attack. The second is to develop fast, use the tempo gained on the queen and aim for quick kingside play with Bc4, Nf3 and O-O. After 2...Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 the main line goes 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6, and White has to decide between the bishop on c4 and the more reserved Bd2.

The practical advice for White is to develop every piece before attacking and avoid pawn grabs. Black gets a long-term position that is easy to play, so White's job is to find the small advantages that come from space and the lead in development.

## Three typical mistakes

1. **Moving the queen too often.** After 2...Qxd5 3.Nc3 the queen has to move again. Black should not move it a third time. A third queen move usually means a lost tempo and an open diagonal for White's bishop.
2. **Forgetting the bishop on c8.** Black must develop the light-squared bishop before closing the pawn chain with ...e6. If Black plays ...e6 first, the bishop is stuck behind the pawns, which is the problem the Scandinavian was meant to avoid.
3. **Grabbing a pawn with the queen.** In many lines White offers a pawn on b2 or c2 or d4 to pull the queen away. The queen that wins a pawn and then needs three moves to return loses the game faster than a pawn is worth.

## A typical pin

On the a5-e1 diagonal Black's queen looks at the knight on c3. As long as the pawn stands on d2 there is no pin, but after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 the pawn has left d2 and the knight is pinned to the king. That is why White often answers with Bd2 or castles quickly, and why Black can keep the queen on a5 only while the pin is worth something. If you play White, expect the queen on a5 and be ready to break the pin with Bd2 while you develop.

## Two model games

Both games use the retreat 3...Qa5 shown above, with the light-squared bishop developed on f5 at move five. Both are real games from public events, published on Lichess broadcasts.

**Gukesh D (White) against Zoltan Varga (Black), European Club Cup 2022: White won.** [Replay the game on Lichess](https://lichess.org/broadcast/37th-european-club-cup/round-2/PtWKVuyf/OPBIpeUq)

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Ne5 c6 7. Bc4 e6 8. g4 Be4 9. O-O Bd5 10. Nxd5 cxd5 11. Bd3 Nc6 12. c3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Qe2 Qc7 15. f4 g6 16. Kh1 h5 17. f5 O-O-O 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Rf7 hxg4 20. Bf4 Bh6 21. Bg3 Rdf8 22. Raf1 Rxf7 23. Rxf7 Rf8 24. Rh7 Bc1 25. Bb5 Rd8 26. Qc2 Be3 27. Qxg6 Qb6 28. Bxd7+ Rxd7 29. Rxd7 Kxd7 30. Qf7+

Lichess names the opening the Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation, and the game began 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5. The first move that Lichess's computer analysis marks as a mistake is Black's 22...Rxf7, where it prefers Qb6. White won in 30 moves.

**M. Amin Tabatabaei (White) against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Black), FIDE World Blitz Championship 2023: Black won.** [Replay the game on Lichess](https://lichess.org/broadcast/2023-fide-world-blitz-championship-boards-1-30/round-18/QmnhgPMV/UwvwtKXo)

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Nc6 8. Qe2 O-O-O 9. Be3 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Rxd4 13. Qe2 a6 14. Rfd1 Bc5 15. a3 Rf4 16. Rf1 Bd4 17. g3 Rf5 18. Rad1 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rc5 20. Bb3 Qxc3 21. Rd3 Qe5 22. Qd2 Ne4 23. Qb4 Rb5 24. Qc4 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ Kxd8 26. Rd1+ Ke7 27. Qd3 Qd6 28. Qf1 Qc5 29. Kg2 Rb6 30. Re1 Nf6 31. Kg1 Rd6 32. Qe2 b5 33. a4 b4 34. Rf1 a5 35. Qf3 c6 36. Qe2 h5 37. h4 g6 38. Qa6 Kf8 39. Qc8+ Kg7 40. Qc7 Ne4 41. Qb7 Nxg3

Lichess names the opening the Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation, and the game began 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5. The first move that Lichess's computer analysis marks as a blunder is White's 10.h3, where it prefers Nb5. Black won in 41 moves.

## How to study the Scandinavian

Choose one line, either the queen retreat to a5 or the modern 2...Nf6, and learn the first twelve moves with a plan. Then play fifty games. The Scandinavian is a good opening to learn when you want a repertoire against 1.e4 quickly, but the first twelve moves have to be right. Write down the move at which each of your games left your preparation, because that move is the next thing to study. A coach can review your games and find the moves where you lost time. The packages below show how a lesson works.

| Offer | Lessons | Price | Per lesson |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single lesson | 1 | $150 | $150 |
| Foundation 5 | 5 | $700 | $140 |
| Climb 10 | 10 | $1,350 | $135 |
| Intensive 25 | 25 | $3,250 | $130 |
| Season 40 | 40 | $5,000 | $125 |

Every lesson is 60 minutes, one-on-one, online. [See the packages](https://georgelichess.com/pricing.md).

## Frequently asked questions

**Is the Scandinavian Defense good?**

Yes. It is sound at every level and the Lichess results show White scoring only around half the points. It is not the sharpest defense, but it is easy to learn and gives a safe position.

**Which Scandinavian line should a beginner choose?**

The queen line with ...Qa5 is the most common, and the modern 2...Nf6 is easier on the beginner's memory. Choose the one whose pawn structure you like, because both lead to the same kind of game.

**Why is the Scandinavian also called the Center Counter Defense?**

Black counters White's center pawn at once instead of building up slowly. The old name, Center Counter, describes the idea well.

**How do I play against the Scandinavian as White?**

Develop the pieces quickly, use the tempo you gain when the queen has to move and avoid pawn grabs. The best practical plan is d4, Nf3, Bc4 and castling.

## Make the Scandinavian a weapon

A one-on-one lesson builds a simple repertoire against 1.e4 that you understand move by move. [Book a lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md).

## Related

- [Scandinavian Defense statistics](https://georgelichess.com/chess-opening-statistics/scandinavian-defense.md)
- [Chess Openings: Guides With Real Win Rates](https://georgelichess.com/openings.md)
- [Early queen move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/early-queen-move.md)
- [Opening principles](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-principles.md)
- [Lesson packages and prices](https://georgelichess.com/pricing.md)
- [Book a lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md)

## Related

- [Scandinavian Defense win rate](https://georgelichess.com/chess-opening-statistics/scandinavian-defense.md)
- [Chess Openings: Guides With Real Win Rates](https://georgelichess.com/openings.md)
- [Early queen move in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/early-queen-move.md)
- [Opening principles in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-principles.md)
- [Chess lesson prices and packages](https://georgelichess.com/pricing.md)
- [Book a chess lesson with George Li](https://georgelichess.com/book.md)