Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation

The Modern Variation of the Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6) is the other main branch of the Scandinavian. Black delays recapturing on d5 and later takes back with the knight, avoiding the loss of time that the queen suffers in the 2...Qxd5 lines.

The idea

White can try to hold on to the extra pawn with c4, but more often simply develops and lets Black win the pawn back. Grandmaster John Emms calls 3.d4 the main line, the common choice for White. Several of Black's options are gambits that delay recapturing in favour of rapid development.

Main lines

• 3.d4, the main line:
  • 3...Nxd5, the Marshall Variation. White can kick the knight with 4.c4, when Black chooses between 4...Nb6, 4...Nf6 and the tricky 4...Nb4, the Kiel Variation, which is rarely seen because White gets a large advantage with accurate play. 4.Nf3 Bg4 is the Gipslis Variation;
  • 3...Bg4!?, the sharp Portuguese Gambit, an important and recently popular alternative, usually 4.f3 Bf5 5.Bb5+ Nbd7 6.c4;
  • 3...g6, the rare Richter Variation, played occasionally by Kurt Richter in the 1930s.
• 3.c4, trying to keep the pawn at the cost of the light-squared bishop's activity:
  • 3...c6, the most common reply (Panov Transfer); 4.d4 cxd5 transposes to the Panov Attack of the Caro-Kann, while 4.dxc6 Nxc6 gives Black too much central control and development;
  • 3...e6!?, the Icelandic-Palme Gambit, invented by Icelandic masters; the critical line is thought to be 4.dxe6 Bxe6 5.Nf3.
• 3.Bb5+, a third major option, usually met by 3...Bd7.
• 3.Nc3 transposes to a line of the Alekhine Defense and is generally thought to be equal; 3.Nf3 is flexible and tends to transpose.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Black avoids the tempo loss of the early queen recapture.
• Many sharp gambit options, such as the Portuguese and the Icelandic.

Weaknesses

• White can try to keep the pawn with c4.
• Some lines, such as the Kiel Variation, are dubious against accurate play.

Who should play it

The Modern Variation suits Black players who like the Scandinavian but prefer quick development and gambit play to the queen lines.

The numbers

On Lichess Black does better below 2200: 48.8% against 47.5% under 1400, 49.1% against 46.8% at 1400–1799 and 48.1% against 46.7% at 1800–2199. From 2200 up White leads, 47.4% against 45.5%. In about 6,900 master games White won 41.0%, Black 24.5%, and 34.5% were drawn.