Chessy
Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation
This line gives White an early decision, but the opening is still balanced if you know what to expect. After 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5, the game is at a very concrete crossroads: White chooses a setup, and you answer with active piece development and calm king safety. The drill below helps you practise that exact position, so you can meet White’s most common moves without drifting into passivity or unnecessary complications.
Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise meeting White’s choices move by move. Create a free account to keep training this opening.
Create a free account →A level starting point with clear practical choices
Stockfish rates this +0.18, a small edge for White. That means you are not worse here; the position is dead level and playable. The practical lesson is simple: do not panic about the queen recapture. Instead, aim for sensible development, watch White’s centre, and be ready to meet the main continuations in a straightforward way.
What the engine expects you to do
The engine’s best move for White is Nf3, and the listed continuation is Nf3 Bg4 Be2 O-O-O. That tells you what kind of game can follow: White develops naturally, and Black responds actively. In this structure, your job is to keep your pieces coordinated and avoid giving White free time to build an easy centre or attack.
White’s most common tries in the database
The database shows that White often chooses Nf3, Nc3, c3, Be3, c4, or Ne2. The most played move is Nf3 with 1,071,067 games, so that is the move you should expect most often in practice. Nc3 appears in 409,504 games, c3 in 184,189 games, Be3 in 166,918 games, c4 in 59,960 games, and Ne2 in 7,237 games. You do not need a memorised trap here — you need comfort against these natural developing moves.
Two moves to punish or welcome
The stats flag Nc3 as an inaccuracy, and c4 as a mistake. Nc3 loses about 0.8 pawns, with Nf3 being better, so if White chooses it you can be pleased that they have not picked the engine’s favourite. c4 loses about 2.2 pawns, again with Nf3 being better, so that move is especially attractive for you to face. In both cases, stay disciplined and play the position rather than trying to force tactics that are not there.
Results across 1,921,528 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 1,071,067 | 53.3% |
| Nc3 | 409,504 | 45.5% |
| c3 | 184,189 | 47.0% |
| Be3 | 166,918 | 53.2% |
| c4 | 59,960 | 36.6% |
| Ne2 | 7,237 | 49.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation good for Black?
In the exact position after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5, the game is balanced. Stockfish gives +0.18, which is a small edge for White, but the page truth is that the position is dead level and fully playable for Black.
What is the main move White plays here?
The most played move is Nf3, with 1,071,067 games in the database. The engine also likes Nf3 as the best move, so this is the move you should expect most often in the drill.
Which White moves should I be ready for?
White’s common choices here are Nf3, Nc3, c3, Be3, c4, and Ne2. Nc3 is marked as an inaccuracy, and c4 is marked as a mistake, so those are the main moves you can hope to see as Black.
What should I focus on as Black in this opening?
Focus on smooth development and active piece placement. The engine line shows a natural plan for both sides, and the position remains level if you keep your pieces coordinated and meet White’s setup calmly.
How many games feature the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation position. White wins 50.3%, Black wins 45.6%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.