Chessy
Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Geschev Gambit
After 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5 c6, you reach a sharp gambit position where White can claim a lasting plus. That does not mean the game is over, but it does mean you need to know the most reliable reaction and the common moves to expect. In the drill below, you will practice the critical reply, see how the engine wants you to continue, and learn which attempts let White stay comfortably better.
Play the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Geschev Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What this gambit is asking for
This opening asks Black to sacrifice a pawn-like structure idea for quick pressure and activity. The main practical problem is that White already stands better in the resulting position, so your job is not to promise an equal game — it is to play accurately and avoid giving White even more time to consolidate. If you choose this line, be ready for a tense middlegame where development and initiative matter more than material comfort.
The engine’s most reliable reply
Stockfish rates this +0.71, an edge for White. That means you are clearly worse here.
The best move shown is dxc6, and the engine’s continuation is dxc6 Nxc6 Nf3 e5. That is the move the drill will test most directly, because it keeps White’s advantage in check as well as possible in this position.
What the database says players choose
Across 934,360 games, White wins 47.5%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 48.8%. Those numbers show that this position gets played a lot, but they do not change the engine verdict: White still has the more pleasant game.
The most-played continuation is dxc6 with 742,981 games. After that, the next most common tries are d4, Nf3, Bc4, d6, and d3. In practical terms, you should expect White to keep things flexible, develop quickly, and look for the cleanest way to maintain an advantage.
Moves you should know to answer
The database marks d4 as an inaccuracy, saying it loses about 0.8 pawns and that dxc6 was better. Nf3 is also an inaccuracy with the same kind of penalty, again with dxc6 preferred. Bc4 is worse still: it is marked as a mistake and loses about 1.3 pawns, with dxc6 as the better choice.
That is useful for your drill because it tells you what the practical traps are not: do not assume every natural developing move is equally good. In this position, the direct capture is the benchmark.
Results across 934,360 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxc6 | 742,981 | 47.4% |
| d4 | 68,418 | 50.5% |
| Nf3 | 60,515 | 48.2% |
| Bc4 | 32,681 | 43.5% |
| d6 | 9,845 | 48.4% |
| d3 | 7,471 | 42.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Who is better in the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Geschev Gambit?
The engine gives +0.71, which is a clear edge for White. So if you are playing Black, you are already defending a position that favours your opponent.
What is the best move in this position for White?
The engine’s best move is dxc6. The continuation given is dxc6 Nxc6 Nf3 e5, and that is the main line the drill focuses on.
Which replies are common after 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5 c6?
The most-played continuation is dxc6, and the other common tries are d4, Nf3, Bc4, d6, and d3. Among those, d4, Nf3, and Bc4 are the moves specifically flagged as mistakes or inaccuracies.
What should I learn from the mistakes in this opening?
The key lesson is that natural-looking developing moves are not always the most accurate. Here, d4 and Nf3 are both called inaccuracies, and Bc4 is called a mistake, while dxc6 is the move the engine prefers.
How many games feature the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Geschev Gambit?
Over 934K Lichess games have reached the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Geschev Gambit position. White wins 47.5%, Black wins 48.8%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.