Modern Variation

The Modern Variation, often called the Modern Scandinavian, answers 2. exd5 with 2...Nf6 instead of recapturing at once with the queen. Black brings out a piece first and plans to regain the pawn with the knight, so there is no queen on d5 for Nc3 to attack with tempo. For the moment White is a pawn up, but that pawn is doubled on the d-file and isolated on d5. Keeping it usually means committing to c4, and most of White's choices hinge on whether to try. Of the two main branches after 2. exd5, this one is generally regarded as the more tactical, and 2...Qxd5 as the more positional.

The most frequent reply is 3. Nc3, simply defending the pawn with a developing move. Black can respond 3...Nxd5 4. Nxd5 Qxd5. The exchange of knights leaves the queen centralized without the time loss that 2...Qxd5 3. Nc3 involves.

The move 3. d4 is considered White's most reliable option. It returns the pawn and builds a center. Black can transpose with 3...Qxd5 4. Nc3 into the Mieses-Kotroc main line, or take with the knight, 3...Nxd5, the Marshall Variation. After 4. Nf3 Bg4, the Gipslis Variation, the bishop pins the knight that guards d4. Black also has more provocative choices. In 3...Bg4, the Portuguese Gambit, the pawn is left en prise for fast development. After 3...g6 4. c4 b5, the Wing Gambit, Black offers a wing pawn to undermine the c4 pawn and loosen White's grip on d5.

With 3. c4 White tries to keep the extra pawn. After 3...c6, taking with 4. dxc6 Nxc6 gives Black a lead in development and compensation. White more often returns the pawn with 4. d4 cxd5 5. Nc3, reaching a Panov-Botvinnik structure from the Caro-Kann. The alternative 3...e6, the Icelandic-Palme Gambit, gives up a pawn to free the light-squared bishop. In practice White frequently prefers plain development, delaying c4 or doing without it.

The line ranks among the more common named openings and appears in over 400,000 Lichess games. Its online results are nearly level, with Black scoring marginally better than White. Engines give White a slight edge and favor 3. d4, 3. Nf3 and the check 3. Bb5+.