Chessy
Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation with f6 — White's Reperto
The Nimzowitsch Defense (1.e4 Nc6) often leads to unusual structures, but when Black pushes ...f6 after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5, they are trying to tear open the centre immediately. In the Advance Variation with f6, White has already played 4.Bb5, pinning the knight and asking Black to solve the problem of their exposed king side. Below you’ll find the engine's top reply, the most common continuations from the database, and the key ideas that give White a lasting edge. After reading, jump into the interactive drill to practise these positions against an adapting opponent.</
Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation: f6 against the engine
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Now that you know the ideas behind 4.Bb5, try the interactive drill. Play the position as White against an adapting engine and see how often you can convert the
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Stockfish evaluates this position at +0.68, a clear edge for White. That means you are slightly better here. Black's last move 3...f6 creates a weakness — the e5 pawn is attacked but White has already placed the bishop on b5, pinning the knight on c6. Black's king side is already looking loose, and the f6-pawn has taken away the natural square for the g8-knight. You have a space advantage and development lead, while Black struggles to complete their development without further concessions.</
The Engine’s Top Choice: Respond to 4...Bd
The most popular and best-scoring reply for Black is 4...Bd7, which breaks the pin and prepares to recapture on c6 with the bishop. Over 69,700 games in the database have reached this position. The engine's suggested continuation after 4...Bd7 is 5.Nc3, developing with tempo and eyeing the d5-square. Black often replies 5...e6, solidifying the centre, and then 6.Nf3 continues natural development. White scores 52.6% after 4...Bd7, with nearly as many wins as Black's losses plus draws combined. The plan is simple: keep developing, control the centre, and use your space advantage to prepare a later break.</
The Sharpest Test: 4...fxe
If Black instead captures with 4...fxe5, they accept doubled e-pawns but open the f-file for their rook. This happens in about 50,000 games — the second most popular move. White scores 53.0% here. The correct reaction is to recapture with the pawn on d4, not with a piece, maintaining the centre and keeping Black's pawn on e5 weak. Black's king often gets stuck in the centre because the f-file is half-open against them. Your task is simple: develop quickly, castle kingside, and target the e5-pawn as a long-term weakness.</
Black’s Riskiest Try: 4...a
The move 4...a6 is played in roughly 16,000 games and gives White their best winning percentage at 57.2%. Black attacks the bishop immediately, but after you retreat (typically to a4 or e2), Black has wasted time and weakened the b5-square. Your space advantage remains intact, and Black's king side is still disorganised. This is the line where you should feel most confident — punish Black's impatience by completing development and striking in the centre.</
Mistakes to Watch
The most common mistake for White in this position is failing to maintain the pin or allowing Black to trade off the knight on c6 too cheaply. If you capture on c6 prematurely (Bxc6+), you give Black the bishop pair and release the pressure. Another typical error is playing too passively — for instance, retreating the bishop to e2 without a fight, which lets Black equalise. Trust the engine's preference: develop with Nc3, Nf3, and castle quickly. The statistics back this up — White's win rate across all 147,360 games is 53.3%, with only 3.8% draws, meaning most games are decisive. Use your initiative before Black catches up in development.</
Results across 147,360 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bd7 | 69,722 | 52.6% |
| fxe5 | 49,871 | 53.0% |
| a6 | 15,942 | 57.2% |
| Qd7 | 5,369 | 54.2% |
| Bf5 | 2,505 | 48.5% |
| e6 | 2,180 | 54.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation with f6 sound for Black?
The engine gives White a +0.68 advantage, which is a small but real edge. Across 147,360 games, White wins 53.3% of the time. It is playable for Black but White has clear compensation — space, development, and a weak f6-pawn structure to exploit.</
What should White do after 4...Bd7?
Play 5.Nc3, developing and preparing to recapture on b5 with the knight if needed. Then after 5...e6, continue with 6.Nf3. You keep the pin active and aim to complete development before launching an attack. White scores 52.6% from this line.</
Should White capture on c6 immediately?
No — Bxc6+ is usually premature. It releases the pin, gives Black the bishop pair, and removes the pressure on Black's position. Better to maintain the pin with moves like Nc3 and Nf3, keeping Black's knight tied down.</
What is White's biggest threat in this opening?
White's space advantage, the pin on the knight, and the weakness of Black's f6-pawn are the three key factors. Black's king is often stuck in the centre for many moves, giving White attacking chances. The statistics show very few draws (3.8%) — games tend to be decisive.</
How many games feature the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation: f6?
Over 147K Lichess games have reached the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Advance Variation: f6 position. White wins 53.3%, Black wins 42.9%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.