Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6, you are already in a sharp practical battleground. White has the move, but Black is aiming for active piece play rather than a slow, passive recapture. This lesson helps you understand what you are trying to achieve, which replies matter most, and where the common mistakes begin. Play the drill below and get used to meeting White’s natural choices without drifting into trouble.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation against the engine
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Play the drill now and practise the key replies as Black. Create a free account to track your progress and build confidence in this opening.
Create a free account →What Black is aiming for
The key idea in the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation is fast development and active pressure on White’s centre. You are not trying to sit back and defend a worse structure forever; you want your pieces out quickly and your position to become active before White turns the extra move into something bigger. In the exact position after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6, White is to move, so your task is to respond accurately and keep the game lively.
The engine’s main move to know
Stockfish rates this +0.63, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The engine’s best move is d4, and the continuation given is d4 Nxd5 c4 Nf6. That is the line the drill is built around, so it is worth learning how to meet it calmly rather than hoping White will choose something less precise.
What the database says about this position
At this exact position, the Lichess database shows 18,872,070 games. White wins 46.9%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 49.1%. Those numbers tell you this is a real fighting position, not a dead-end opening. Black scores well in practical play, but the engine still says White has the better of the first critical position, so accurate defence matters.
Which White replies you will face most often
The most-played continuations are Nc3, c4, Nf3, d4, Bc4, and Bb5+. The two most common moves, Nc3 and c4, are also marked as inaccuracies, both with better was d4. That is useful for training: if White chooses either of those moves, you know the opening has already drifted away from the engine’s top choice, and you can focus on keeping your development smooth and your position active.
How to study this line in the drill
Treat this as a practical opening lesson, not a memorisation exercise. You want to recognise the first move choices White keeps returning to, understand that d4 is the engine’s main answer, and stay alert when White chooses one of the common inaccuracies. If you learn the ideas behind the moves, you will be much better prepared to play the opening over the board.
Results across 18,872,070 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 8,182,982 | 45.5% |
| c4 | 3,881,895 | 45.5% |
| Nf3 | 2,373,615 | 50.0% |
| d4 | 2,232,652 | 51.2% |
| Bc4 | 965,845 | 45.8% |
| Bb5+ | 362,919 | 50.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation good for Black?
It is playable and very practical, but the engine evaluation here is +0.63, which means White has a small edge. The database numbers are still close, with Black scoring 49.1% in the exact position. So it is a real opening, but you should know the key replies.
What is the best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is d4. The listed continuation is d4 Nxd5 c4 Nf6. In the drill, that is the main line to understand and practise against.
Which White moves are most common here?
The most-played continuations are Nc3, c4, Nf3, d4, Bc4, and Bb5+. The biggest two are Nc3 and c4, and both are marked as inaccuracies in the position. That makes them especially important to recognise during training.
What should I take from the statistics?
The database covers 18,872,070 games at this exact position, so the position is well tested. White wins 46.9%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 49.1%. Even so, the engine still prefers White, so good defensive technique remains important.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation?
Over 19 million Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation position. White wins 46.9%, Black wins 49.1%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.