Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense as Black
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6, you reach a very specific Scandinavian setup where White is the one to move and you must be ready for several natural continuations. The position is not lost for Black, but it does give White a small edge, so accuracy matters. The drill below lets you test whether you can meet the most common tries with calm development and a clear plan. Play it from the Black pieces and learn the key ideas by feel, not memorisation.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense against the engine
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Jump into the drill and practise the Black pieces against White’s most common tries. Create a free account and start building confidence move by move.
Create a free account →What the engine wants you to do
The engine’s best move here is d4, and the listed continuation is d4 Nf6 Nf3 g6. That is a useful clue about the kind of position White is aiming for: space in the centre, smooth development, and a setup where Black must stay organised. For your training, the main point is not to guess every reply in advance, but to recognise that White’s most principled plan is to claim space immediately. As Black, you should be ready to answer that central advance without drifting into a passive position.
What the numbers say
Stockfish rates this +0.69, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The database also shows a large sample of 4,006,784 games at this exact position, with White scoring 50.1%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 45.7%. So this line is playable, but it asks you to handle the resulting position carefully and know your ideas rather than rely on a free equaliser.
The most common White tries
The most-played continuation is Nf3 with 1,866,925 games, and White scores 50.0% there. The next most common is d4 with 1,101,867 games, where White scores 51.3%. Other important tries are Bc4 with 308,714 games and d3 with 248,208 games. You should also expect Nb5 and Bb5+ often enough to matter, so the opening drill is valuable for learning how to stay calm against a range of developing moves rather than only one main line.
The moves you should respect most
The database flags three continuations as mistakes: Bc4 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns, d3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, and Bb5+ is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns. In each case, the listed better move is Nf3. That is a strong practical hint: when White chooses a quieter or check-based path instead of simple development, the position becomes less comfortable for them. In your games, learn to meet these tries confidently and keep your own development moving.
Results across 4,006,784 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 1,866,925 | 50.0% |
| d4 | 1,101,867 | 51.3% |
| Bc4 | 308,714 | 49.0% |
| d3 | 248,208 | 47.1% |
| Nb5 | 88,537 | 59.3% |
| Bb5+ | 73,362 | 46.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense good for Black?
It is playable, but the engine gives White a small edge with **+0.69**. The database still shows Black winning a healthy number of games, so this is not hopeless. It is a practical line if you are happy to defend an active position accurately.
What is the best move for White in this position?
The engine’s best move is **d4**. The listed continuation is **d4 Nf6 Nf3 g6**, which shows White trying to take space and develop naturally. In the drill, that is the main idea you need to be ready for as Black.
Which White move is played most often after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6?
The most-played move is **Nf3**, with **1,866,925 games**. The next most common is **d4** with **1,101,867 games**. Those two moves make up the bulk of what you will meet in practice.
Which continuations should I watch out for as Black?
The database highlights **Bc4**, **d3**, and **Bb5+** as inaccuracies, each with a better move of **Nf3**. That tells you those moves can be met by playing accurately and developing sensibly. The drill is designed to help you spot those kinds of chances quickly.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense?
Over 4 million Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Defense: Gubinsky-Melts Defense position. White wins 50.1%, Black wins 45.7%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.