Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Bb5+ – Black Is Already Better
When White answers 1.e4 with 2.Bb5+ in the Scandinavian, they are not fighting for an advantage — they are handing one to you. After you play 2…c6, the engine already rates the position -0.82, which means you already have the upper hand. The statistics across 206,633 games confirm it: Black wins over 60% of the time from here. Your job is simple — don't let White off the hook. The drill below will train you to punish the most common White replies and consolidate your edge.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Bb5+ against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Practice this position now in the drill below and turn your slight edge into a full point.
Create a free account →Why 2.Bb5+ Favours You
Unlike the main-line Scandinavian (2.exd5), White's bishop check is a tricky but ultimately inferior sideline. By playing 2…c6 you immediately gain time: the bishop must move again or trade itself for the knight on c6. The engine gives -0.82, a clear advantage for you as Black. That means you are already better. Your practical results back this up — across 206,633 games Black scores 60.7% versus White's 35.2%, with only 4.1% draws. You are not just surviving this opening; you are winning it.
The Engine’s Best Answer: Bd3
Stockfish's top choice for White is Bd3. The idea is simple: retreat the bishop to a safe square and hope to get a normal Scandinavian after something like 3.Bd3 e5 4.exd5 cxd5. Even in this best-case line for White, you are still comfortably better. As Black, you should meet Bd3 with 3…e5, challenging the centre immediately. You take space, prepare to develop your kingside pieces, and keep your structural advantage. This is the line you will see most often from strong opponents, and it is also the one the drill will drill you on.
Punish White’s Most Common Mistakes
The most frequent move in the database is 3.Ba4 (over 90,000 games), and it is an inaccuracy that costs White about 0.9 pawns. Even worse is 3.exd5 (a blunder, losing ~3.3 pawns) and 3.Bf1 (another inaccuracy). These moves all give you a bigger advantage than Bd3 would. The trick is knowing how to respond when White does not retreat to d3. Your plan stays the same: seize the centre with …e5, develop naturally, and trust that your extra tempo and space will carry you through the middlegame.
What About the Other Rare Replies?
White has a few other options worth noting. 3.Be2 appears in about 8,693 games and yields White's third-worst score (28.8%). 3.Bxc6+ is played in nearly 4,000 games and is White's absolute worst move at this point, scoring a miserable 15.0% — you recapture with the b-pawn, get a strong centre, and laugh all the way to the endgame. No matter what White does after 2…c6, you have the statistics and the engine on your side.
Results across 206,633 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Ba4 | 90,500 | 36.2% |
| Bd3 | 86,719 | 38.5% |
| Be2 | 8,693 | 28.8% |
| exd5 | 6,302 | 27.3% |
| Bf1 | 4,885 | 22.3% |
| Bxc6+ | 3,917 | 15.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 2.Bb5+ a good move for White in the Scandinavian?
No. The engine evaluation of -0.82 shows that White is already slightly worse after this check. Black wins 60.7% of games from this position, so you should welcome this line as the second player.
What should I play after 2…c6 3.Bd3?
The engine's recommended continuation is 3…e5, seizing the centre. After 4.exd5 cxd5, you have a solid pawn structure and good development prospects. You remain clearly better.
How do I handle 3.Ba4, the most common move?
Ba4 is an inaccuracy. Play 3…e5 just as you would against Bd3. The bishop on a4 is awkwardly placed and may become a target later. Develop naturally and keep pressing your centre advantage.
What is the worst move White can make here?
3.Bxc6+ is White's worst option, scoring only 15.0%. You recapture on c6 with the pawn, gaining a strong pawn centre. White has thrown away any hope of an advantage.