Scandinavian Variation

In the Scandinavian Variation, Black answers 2. d4 by challenging e4 immediately with 2...d5 and leaves White to decide how to handle the central tension. The most frequent answer is 3. e5, the Advance Variation, which accounts for nearly half of all games. It closes the center and gives a French-like pawn chain in which Black's light-squared bishop is not shut in behind the pawns. The exchange 3. exd5 is the second most popular choice. It simplifies the game but does not stop Black from preparing ...e5. After 3...Qxd5 (the Exchange Variation), the position can also arise from the Scandinavian Defense by 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. d4 Nc6. Instead of recapturing, Black can try 3...Nb4, the Aachen Gambit. The Bogoljubow Variation, 3. Nc3, keeps the tension. Black can release it with 3...dxe4 or maintain it with 3...e6, which transposes to the French Defense. A rare alternative is 3. Be3, the Hornung Gambit. The engine gives White a slight edge, and results in practice are almost even.