Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
16,708 games: White 55.8% / Draw 5.6% / Black 38.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 15,53716K | ||
| 895895 | ||
| 248248 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 33 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.81 White is better
Best play: 5. dxc6 Nxc6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. Nf3 e6 8. O-O Bh5 9. h3 Rc8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation (ECO B01, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, reached after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. Bb5+ c6 (4 moves).
In 16,708 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.8%, Black 38.6% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. dxc6, in 93% 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 Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation
The most played answer, 5. dxc6, also scores best for White: 59.1%, with White winning 56.4% and Black 38.1% of 16K games. Of the main answers, 5. Be2 scores lowest: 52.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. dxc6.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Scandinavian Defense: Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation (B01)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/scandinavian-defense-portuguese-gambit-elbow-variation