Caissa Codex
B00

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit

Chess diagram: Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit after 3…g6

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Statistics from Lichess

1,311 games: White 55.5% / Draw 3.7% / Black 40.7%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
559559
295295
119119
100100
9898
5757
2626
2323

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

Engine evaluation

+2.17 White is clearly better

Best play: 4. exd5 Nb4 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bc4 c6 7. dxc6 Nxc6 8. Nf3 Bg7

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, Erben 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 g6 (3 moves).

In 1,311 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.5%, Black 40.7% and 3.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. exd5, in 43% of those games.

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

4. Nf3 scores best for White: 59.7%, with White winning 58.0% and Black 38.7% of 119 games. The most played, 4. exd5, scores 59.5% in 559 games, and 4. e5 scores lowest: 52.9%. 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…g6, the position after Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

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

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