B00

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Aachen Gambit

Chess diagram: Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Aachen Gambit after 3…Nb4

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

6,864 games: White 57.9% / Draw 3.0% / Black 39.1%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
3,1883,188
1,1071,107
859859
581581
499499
357357
135135
3939

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

+3.65 White is clearly better

Best play: 4. c4 e6 5. a3 Na6 6. dxe6 Bxe6 7. Nf3 c6 8. Bd3 Nf6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Aachen Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Nb4 (3 moves).

In 6,864 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 57.9%, Black 39.1% and 3.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. c4, in 46% of those games.

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How to play against the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Aachen Gambit

The most played answer, 4. c4, also scores best for White: 64.0%, with White winning 62.8% and Black 34.9% of 3,188 games. Of the main answers, 4. Bc4 scores lowest: 52.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. c4.

Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Aachen Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-scandinavian-variation-aachen-gambit