Chessy
Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Vehre Variation
After 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6, White to move has the better position and the burden is on you. Stockfish rates this +1.08, a clear advantage for White. That does not mean the game is over, but it does mean you need to know the critical reply and the traps in the move choices White most often makes. Use the drill below to practise meeting White’s most common continuations accurately and to feel where this line becomes uncomfortable for Black.
Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Vehre Variation against the engine
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Play the drill and test your defence against White’s most common tries. Create a free account to practise the position and track your progress.
Create a free account →Why this position is uncomfortable for Black
This opening reaches a position where White can choose from several active moves, and the numbers are not kind to Black. Across 206,147 games at this exact position, White scores 51.6%, Black scores 44.7%, and draws are only 3.7%. That is a strong sign that White is the side pressing. As Black, your first job is practical: solve the immediate problem and avoid drifting into a passive game where White keeps the better chances.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is e5. The listed continuation is e5 Ng8 a3 Bf5, which tells you the kind of play you are aiming for: active development and a quick response to White’s centre. This is the move to know in the drill, because it is the reference point for the position. If you want to keep the game alive as Black, you should be ready to meet White’s central space with force rather than hesitation.
What White most often tries
White’s most-played continuations show the main practical choices you must face. The most common move is e5 with 130,232 games, and White scores 53.6% there. Other frequent tries are exd5 in 29,158 games, Bb5 in 10,460 games, f3 in 9,075 games, Bg5 in 5,741 games, and Be3 in 5,128 games. In other words, White usually keeps the initiative by choosing direct play, and you need a clear reply ready instead of reacting move by move.
Mistakes to punish
There are a few known mistakes in this exact position, and they are worth memorising because they guide your training. exd5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; Bb5 is a mistake and loses about 1.4 pawns; f3 is also a mistake and loses about 1.2 pawns. In every case, the better move is e5. That makes the drill especially useful: you can learn not only the best defence, but also which White tries are too slow or too imprecise.
Results across 206,147 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 130,232 | 53.6% |
| exd5 | 29,158 | 48.2% |
| Bb5 | 10,460 | 51.7% |
| f3 | 9,075 | 47.7% |
| Bg5 | 5,741 | 49.7% |
| Be3 | 5,128 | 51.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is this opening sound for Black after 3...Nf6?
The position is playable, but the engine and the database both say White is better here. Stockfish rates it +1.08, and the large game sample also favours White. So you should treat it as a line where accurate defence matters a lot.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is **e5**. The suggested continuation is **e5 Ng8 a3 Bf5**, which shows the kind of active defence Black is aiming for. In the drill, that is the move to focus on first.
What does White usually play here?
White’s most common move is **e5**, with 130,232 games. Other popular choices are **exd5**, **Bb5**, **f3**, **Bg5**, and **Be3**. That makes this a good training position because you will see the main practical tries very often.
Which White moves should I be ready to punish?
The known mistakes are **exd5**, **Bb5**, and **f3**. All three are listed as inaccuracies or mistakes, and the better move in each case is **e5**. If you are Black, knowing that pattern helps you respond confidently when White chooses the less accurate continuation.
How many games feature the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Vehre Variation?
Over 206K Lichess games have reached the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Vehre Variation position. White wins 51.6%, Black wins 44.7%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.