Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation

The Scandinavian Variation is 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5, the line of the Nimzowitsch Defense that Aron Nimzowitsch, its originator, usually preferred. Black meets White's two-pawn centre by attacking e4 at once, as in the Scandinavian Defense, but with the knight already on c6. The other main answer to 2.d4 is the Kennedy Variation, 2...e5.

White's main choices

• 3.e5 is usually met by 3...Bf5 followed by ...e6, which no longer shuts in the light-squared bishop. Black later attacks White's central pawns with ...f6 and ...c5. 3...f6 is also a decent but more complex reply.
• 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 aims to gain time by attacking the queen with Nc3, but Black can put pressure on White's centre with 4...Bg4 or 4...e5.
• 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.d5 Ne5, after which White usually continues 5.Qd4 or 5.Bf4 Ng6 6.Bg3. Black can also answer 3.Nc3 with 3...e6, which leads to a kind of French Defense.

The idea

The Nimzowitsch Defense is a hypermodern opening. Black lets White occupy the centre with pawns, then tries to block or restrain them and to undermine them later with well-timed pawn advances or by attacking the pieces that defend them. Garry Kasparov and Raymond Keene wrote that it has never been fully accepted as a dependable opening, though it is sound.

The numbers

On Lichess White wins 48.1% of the 3.2 million games and Black 47.5%. From 2200 up the result turns slightly in Black's favour, 49.5% against 44.0%. In 1,081 master games over the board White won 38.3%, Black 28.7%, and 33.0% were drawn.