Caissa Codex
B00

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit

Chess diagram: Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit after 3…a6

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Statistics from Lichess

2,436 games: White 53.1% / Draw 3.9% / Black 43.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
1,4411,441
340340
202202
188188
8888
5353
3939
2525

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

Engine evaluation

+1.00 White is better

Best play: 4. exd5 Nb4 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. Nf3 Nbxd5 7. Nxd5 Nxd5 8. O-O b5

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

Overview

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 a6 (3 moves).

In 2,436 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.1%, Black 43.0% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. exd5, in 59% of those games.

Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.

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

4. Nf3 scores best for White: 57.4%, with White winning 55.0% and Black 40.1% of 202 games. The most played, 4. exd5, scores 56.4% in 1,441 games, and 4. e5 scores lowest: 48.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. exd5.

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

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 3…a6, the position after Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

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

https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-scandinavian-variation-bogoljubow-variation-brandics-gambit