Chessy
How to Play the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense
After 1.c4 d5, White already has a choice, but the position is far from solved. Your job as Black is simple: stay accurate and be ready to answer the most common moves without drifting into passive play. Stockfish rates this +0.60, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The drill below lets you practise the exact position and see how quickly White can punish careless decisions.
Play the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense against the engine
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Play the drill now and practise the exact position against the engine. Create a free account to track your progress and revisit the line anytime.
Create a free account →What the engine wants you to do
The engine’s best move here is cxd5. That is the move to know first, because it keeps the position concrete and meets White’s central play directly. The listed continuation is cxd5 Qxd5 Nc3 Qa5, which shows the kind of active, piece-based game this opening can lead to.
For Black, the key is not to lose time after exchanging in the centre. Keep your moves purposeful, develop smoothly, and make White work for every advantage. The position is not lost, but you do need to handle it carefully.
What the numbers say about this position
The database picture is clear: across 6,844,152 games at this exact position, White wins 53.0%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 43.1%. That is a practical warning sign for Black, even before deeper theory starts.
This does not mean the opening is unplayable. It does mean White has scored well here, so you should expect accurate opposition. If you want to use this defence, you need to know the main replies and avoid drifting into the known mistakes.
The most common replies you should expect
The most played continuation is cxd5 with 4,527,728 games, and White scores 54.8% there. That is the main branch to study first, because it is both the most common and the most successful for White.
Other replies appear less often, but they still matter:
- Nc3 — 663,734 games, White scores 49.0%
- e3 — 660,094 games, White scores 51.0%
- d4 — 297,310 games, White scores 51.9%
- c5 — 170,451 games, White scores 45.8%
- g3 — 166,479 games, White scores 52.3%
The lesson is straightforward: White has several ways to continue, but the exchange on d5 is the main battleground.
Moves to punish or avoid
Three White moves are specifically flagged in this position, and they are useful to remember when you are training the defence.
- Nc3 is a mistake and loses about 1.4 pawns; better was cxd5.
- e3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns; better was cxd5.
- c5 is a mistake and loses about 2.3 pawns; better was cxd5.
That means you should stay alert for White choosing one of these quieter or more direct setups, and answer with accurate central play rather than waiting passively.
Results across 6,844,152 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| cxd5 | 4,527,728 | 54.8% |
| Nc3 | 663,734 | 49.0% |
| e3 | 660,094 | 51.0% |
| d4 | 297,310 | 51.9% |
| c5 | 170,451 | 45.8% |
| g3 | 166,479 | 52.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense good for Black?
It is playable, but the numbers here lean toward White. Stockfish gives +0.60, a small edge for White, and the database results also favour White overall. If you choose it, you need to know the main replies and stay precise.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is **cxd5**. The listed continuation is **cxd5 Qxd5 Nc3 Qa5**, which gives you a concrete line to study in the drill. That is the most important move to learn first.
Which White move is most common here?
The most played continuation is **cxd5**, with **4,527,728** games. It also gives White **54.8%**, so it is both common and successful. If you are defending this opening, that is the line you must know best.
What mistakes should I watch for as Black's opponent?
The notes highlight **Nc3**, **e3**, and **c5** as problem moves for White in this exact position. The lesson for Black is to respond accurately in the centre and not let White build a comfortable game for free. The drill helps you learn that practical response.
How many games feature the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense?
Over 7 million Lichess games have reached the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense position. White wins 53.0%, Black wins 43.1%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.