Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit — Black to move
The Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit is an active, sharp way to meet 1.e4, but the first thing to know is simple: the resulting position is not comfortable for Black. Stockfish gives White a clear, lasting advantage, so your goal is not to “win the opening” automatically — it is to know the best practical reply and survive the early pressure. The drill below puts you in the critical position after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6, where White is to move and you must choose Black’s setup with care.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the key position against the engine. Create a free account to track your progress and repeat the line until it feels natural.
Create a free account →What the engine wants you to do
At this exact position, the engine’s best move for White is Nf3. The listed continuation is Nf3 Nf6 Nc3 Be7, which is a useful reminder of the kind of development White can aim for while keeping the extra initiative. For Black, that means you should expect White to finish development comfortably unless you know the position well. In practical terms, your task is to stay active, develop quickly, and avoid giving White even more free tempi.
What the numbers say about this line
Across 1,668,593 games in this exact position, White wins 49.7%, draws 3.4%, and Black wins 46.9%. Those numbers tell you this is a real fighting position, but not one where Black has the easier life. Stockfish rates this +1.12, a clear, lasting advantage for White. That means you are worse here and need accurate play to keep the game going.
The most common replies to face
The most-played continuations give a good feel for the practical choices White makes here. The main replies are Nf3 in 670,227 games, Nc3 in 496,618 games, d4 in 210,897 games, Qe2 in 55,220 games, d3 in 54,868 games, and Bb5+ in 42,943 games. You do not need to memorise a giant tree; instead, learn the key position and be ready for White’s most natural developing moves, especially the knight move the engine prefers.
The mistake to know
There is one clear warning sign in the database: Qe2 is marked as an inaccuracy, and it loses about 0.6 pawns; Nf3 was better. That is useful for your drill because it tells you what White should not do if they want to keep the edge tidy. As Black, you should recognise that when White spends time on a less accurate queen move, it can help you finish development and challenge the position more smoothly.
Results across 1,668,593 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 670,227 | 51.0% |
| Nc3 | 496,618 | 49.5% |
| d4 | 210,897 | 52.0% |
| Qe2 | 55,220 | 41.1% |
| d3 | 54,868 | 46.5% |
| Bb5+ | 42,943 | 47.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit sound for Black?
This page does not claim the line is sound in a theoretical sense. In the exact position after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6, Stockfish gives White a clear, lasting advantage, so Black must play accurately.
What should I expect after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6?
You should expect White to continue with sensible development and pressure. The engine’s best move is Nf3, and the listed continuation Nf3 Nf6 Nc3 Be7 shows a straightforward developing plan for White.
Which move is most common for White here?
The most-played continuation is Nf3, with 670,227 games. It is also the engine’s best move, so it is the first reply you should be ready for in the drill.
What is the main move I need to know against this opening?
The page is built around the exact position after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 e5 3.dxe6 Bxe6, where White is to move and Black must be ready for the best reply. Knowing that Nf3 is the engine’s choice helps you understand the most practical test of the line.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Defense: Boehnke Gambit position. White wins 49.7%, Black wins 46.9%, with 3.4% draws — based on real rated games.