Theoria
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Scandinavian Defense

Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack

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  1. 1.e4d5
  2. 2.exd5Qxd5
  3. 3.Nc3Qa5
  4. 4.d4e5
  5. 5.dxe5Nc6
  6. 6.Nf3Bb4
  7. 7.Bd2
322 games48%48%

Main line of the Scandinavian Anderssen Counterattack, where White keeps the extra e5-pawn with 7. Bd2 and Black seeks piece-play compensation.

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About the Orthodox Attack

The Orthodox Attack arises after 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2. White covers the pinned c3-knight and holds on to the extra pawn on e5. Black's usual reply, by a wide margin, is 7...Bg4. It pins the f3-knight and adds pressure to e5, and it is also the engine's first choice. The immediate 7...Nxe5 regains the pawn, while 7...f6 scores poorly. The engine rates White clearly better, yet online results are close to even.

Popular continuations