Chessy
Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation: Nc3
After 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qxd4, you've reached a sharp crossroads. White has just moved their queen for a third time, while you've calmly developed, and the numbers say your reward is real. Across over a quarter of a million games from this exact position, Black scores an impressive 56.6% — that's a full 18 percentage points higher than White's 38.0%. Stockfish agrees, giving -0.69, a clear edge for your side. You are already slightly better. The trick is knowing what White is about to try and how to answer it cleanly. The interactive drill below will sharpen your instincts for this position.
Play the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation: Nc3 against the engine
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Play the interactive drill below to practise the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation: Nc3 against a adapting engine. Create a free (
Create a free account →The Big Picture: Why Black Is Comfortable
You've traded a central pawn for a central pawn, but your queen on d4 is active and your knight on c6 already exerts influence. White's knight on c3 attacks your queen, which is why you just took on d4 rather than retreating. This is the tabiya of the Exchange Variation. Black's healthy score (56.6% wins) tells you that most White players struggle to prove compensation for the queen moves they've made. Your job is straightforward: finish developing, keep your queen safe, and don't let White seize the initiative with a cheap tempo-gaining move.
The Engine's Best Move and What Follows
Stockfish's top choice for White is Qe2. That is the move that cuts your advantage smallest. After Qe2, the engine line continues Nf6 Be3 Qd8 — you retreat the queen back to d8, losing a bit of time but keeping a sound structure. Your knight on f6 develops naturally, and your queen will find a safer home on c7 or b6 later. Even after this best play from White, the evaluation stays in your favour. The key point: don't panic and try to keep the queen on a fancy square. Retreating to d8 is solid and still leaves you with a slight plus.
What Most White Players Actually Play
Statistics from over 250,000 games show that the overwhelming majority of White players (161,545 games, or about 64%) play Qxd4 themselves, swapping queens immediately. That move scores only 33.9% for White — an excellent sign for you. After the trade, you recapture with Nxd4 and reach a simplified middlegame where your better development gives you comfortable play. The second most common move, Bd3, actually scores surprisingly well for White (52.7%), so watch out if your opponent tries that instead. Bd2, Be3, Nf3, and Bb5 round out the popular choices, but none of them trouble you badly according to the stats.
Three White Moves You Want to See
Some White moves actually help you. Be3 is an inaccuracy — it loses about half a pawn compared to the best move Qe2. Even better for you are Nf3 and Bb5, both classified as mistakes that lose about 1.1 pawns. If White plays Nf3, they block their own f-pawn and leave d4 unguarded. If White plays Bb5, they threaten your knight but lose time when you reply a6 or Qd8. In all three cases, your winning chances jump significantly. The drill below will let you practise punishing these inaccuracies and mistakes so you can convert your slight edge into a full point.
Results across 250,506 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qxd4 | 161,545 | 33.9% |
| Bd3 | 23,946 | 52.7% |
| Bd2 | 16,180 | 48.5% |
| Be3 | 15,032 | 44.7% |
| Nf3 | 12,001 | 36.3% |
| Bb5 | 8,207 | 36.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Should Black always capture on d4 with the queen in the Nimzowitsch Scandinavian?
Yes, in this specific line (1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3), capturing on d4 is the best move. You want to keep the pressure on and avoid retreating your queen while it can still create threats. The statistics back this up — Black scores 56.6% from this exact position.
What if White plays Qe2 against my queen on d4?
That is the engine's best move, designed to provoke you into an awkward retreat. Follow the main line: Nf6, and when White plays Be3, retreat your queen to d8. You lose a tempo but still keep a sound position with a slight advantage. Don't try to keep the queen on d4 — it will become a target.
Is trading queens good for Black in this position?
Yes. If White plays Qxd4 (the most common move by a huge margin), you recapture with Nxd4. The resulting simplified position is very comfortable for you. White scores only 33.9% after this queen trade, which means you win well over half the time from there.
What are the worst mistakes White can make here?
The biggest blunders are Nf3 and Bb5, each losing about 1.1 pawns compared to the best move Qe2. Be3 is also an inaccuracy, losing about half a pawn. If your opponent plays any of these, you can seize a serious advantage.
How many games feature the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation: Nc3?
Over 250K Lichess games have reached the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation: Nc3 position. White wins 38.0%, Black wins 56.6%, with 5.4% draws — based on real rated games.