Chessy
Play the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation as Black
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5, White has to make a practical choice immediately. This line is not about memorising a long forcing sequence; it is about knowing which reply keeps you active and what White’s most common continuations try to do. The drill below trains the exact position you will meet in games, so you can recognise the ideas quickly and respond with confidence. It is White to move, but you are playing Black, so your job is to keep the position sound and seize the initiative when White slips.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation against the engine
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Play the drill now and practise the key response as Black. Create a free account to train this position until it feels automatic.
Create a free account →What the engine wants here
Stockfish rates this +0.35, a small edge for White. That means you are a little worse here, but not lost, and accurate play can still give you a good game. The engine’s best move is e5, and that is the move this drill is built around. In practical terms, you want to meet White’s next decision with activity, not passive defence, and the engine line shows that Black can use the centre immediately.
What White usually tries
The position has been played in 2,262,899 games at this exact point, so you are not dealing with a rare sideline. White’s most-played continuations are exd5, e5, d3, Nf3, d4, and f3. The two most common choices are exd5 and e5, and both lead to a very practical struggle. Your task in the drill is to stay alert and meet the move White actually chooses, not the move you were hoping for.
Punish the common mistakes
Three White moves are singled out as errors here, and that makes this position especially useful for training. d3 is an inaccuracy, with e5 as the better move; Nf3 is a mistake, again with e5 as the better move; and d4 is also a mistake, with e5 as the better move. If White plays one of these, do not drift. Respond with the engine’s choice and keep the initiative flowing while White is still sorting out the opening.
What kind of game this opening creates
This variation rewards Black players who like direct, active development and who are comfortable playing for the centre early. You are not trying to sit back and defend for long. Instead, the opening asks you to choose an energetic reply, handle White’s central plans, and keep the position balanced enough to play a real middlegame. If you enjoy being ready for quick decisions and practical chances, this is a useful line to know.
Results across 2,262,899 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exd5 | 974,044 | 45.6% |
| e5 | 887,150 | 46.1% |
| d3 | 123,247 | 40.9% |
| Nf3 | 63,525 | 39.7% |
| d4 | 56,797 | 43.1% |
| f3 | 41,368 | 40.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main move to know in the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation?
The engine’s best move here is e5. In this exact position, that is the move you should learn and practise in the drill.
Is this opening good for Black?
The position is not bad for Black, but Stockfish gives +0.35, a small edge for White. So you should treat it as a playable line where accurate moves matter.
What are White’s most common replies here?
The most-played continuations are exd5, e5, d3, Nf3, d4, and f3. The two most common are exd5 and e5, so those are especially important to know.
Which White moves are marked as mistakes?
d3 is an inaccuracy, while Nf3 and d4 are mistakes. In all three cases, e5 is listed as the better move for Black to meet them with.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation position. White wins 45.0%, Black wins 50.6%, with 4.4% draws — based on real rated games.