Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Scandinavian Defense › Modern Variation › Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation › Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation › Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation
B01

Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation

Open in Lichess
Share: X Reddit Telegram Facebook
Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

Scandinavian Defense: Kiel Variation is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B01.

The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.

The line arises from 8 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5 4. c4 Nb4.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.

ECO code
B01
Group
Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies
8
Parent
Scandinavian Defense: Marshall Variation

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

268,327 games · White 47.4% / Draw 3.6% / Black 48.9%

MovesGamesW / D / B
a3132,171
Qa4+68,988
Nc328,918
Nf316,221
d510,464
Be34,717
Bd23,265
Na31,244

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:45:59

Write a description

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.