Anglo-Scandinavian Defense

The Anglo-Scandinavian Defense answers 1. c4 by putting a pawn on d5 at once, directly contesting the square the English targets. It differs from the Agincourt (1...e6) and Slav-style (1...c6) setups because Black does not first support d5 with a pawn. The cost is that White can capture on d5 and trade a flank pawn for a central one. For this reason the line is considered weaker than the Scandinavian Defense proper, which itself has a somewhat doubtful reputation.

White has two broad ways to respond. The most frequent is 2. d4, which turns the game into a Queen's Gambit. 2. Nf3 is also common and keeps a Réti Opening character, and 2. e3 and 2. Nc3 appear as well. These continuations let White steer the game toward a familiar 1. d4 or Réti structure in which Black's early commitment matters little. Among the rarer tries, 2. f4 transposes to the Sturm Gambit of the Bird Opening.

The independent and testing reply is 2. cxd5, which the engine favors. It leaves White with an extra central pawn. If Black regains the pawn with the queen, the queen stands exposed on d5, and Nc3 gains a tempo against it, as in the Scandinavian. The Malvinas Variation, 2. cxd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5, sends the queen to a5 in the manner of the main Scandinavian lines. White's usual aims in these positions are to develop quickly with tempo against the queen and to use the central pawn majority. Black seeks easy piece play in compensation.

Black can also delay or decline the recapture. The Schulz Gambit, 2. cxd5 Nf6, develops before trying to win the pawn back. The Löhn Gambit, 2. cxd5 e6, offers the d-pawn outright for quicker development and open lines. Both are sidelines of a sideline and are seldom seen at a high level.

The engine gives White a slight edge after 1...d5. In online play, White scores somewhat better than Black, and the line occurs fairly often there, partly because many games simply transpose into the Queen's Gambit.