Caissa Codex
B00

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Richter Gambit

Chess diagram: Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Richter Gambit after 5. f3

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Statistics from Lichess

3,916 games: White 55.2% / Draw 4.3% / Black 40.5%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
2,6182,618
463463
396396
149149
110110
105105
2626
2222

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

Engine evaluation

−0.05 The position is about equal

Best play: 5... Nf6 6. Bf4 e6 7. dxe6 Qxd1+ 8. Rxd1 Bxe6 9. Bxc7 Nc6 10. a3

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, Richter Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Van Geet Opening: Berlin Gambit, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d5 Nb8 5. f3 (5 moves).

In 3,916 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.2%, Black 40.5% and 4.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…exf3, in 67% of those games.

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

5…e6 scores best for Black: 46.7%, with Black winning 43.8% and White 50.5% of 463 games. The most played answer, 5…exf3, scores lowest: 42.0% in 2,618 games. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Nf6.

Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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 4…Nb8 5. f3, the position after Van Geet Opening: Berlin Gambit also goes on to:

Cite this page

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

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