Chessy
How to Play the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation (Bb5+) as Black
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6, White often tries to slow you down with 3.Bb5+, pinning the knight before you can recapture. In the Modern Variation, you answer with 3...Bd7 — developing a piece, offering a trade, and daring White to give up the bishop pair. The engine gives +0.54, a small edge for White, meaning you enter a slightly tricky fight right away. Below the drill you'll find which replies are toughest to face, which ones are gifts, and how the statistics back it all up. Step into the position and test yourself against the engine — it's the fastest way to make this line your own.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation: Bb5+ against the engine
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Create a free account →The Main Idea Behind 3...Bd7
You're not just developing — you're offering a trade that puts a question to White. If they take on d7, you recapture with the queen, develop instantly, and White has given away the bishop pair for nothing. That's why Bc4 (86,007 games, White scores 53.0%) is the most popular reply: White sidesteps the trade, keeps the bishop, and prepares to build a centre with pawns. Your job after Bc4 is to keep the pressure on d5 and challenge White's space advantage with quick development and active piece play. The position remains sharp — you have only a slight disadvantage to overcome.
The Engine's Top Line: What White Wants
Stockfish's best move here is Bc4, and it follows up with Bg4, pinning the f3 knight, then f3 Bf5. White is happy to push you back with pawn moves and claim central space. Notice that your light-squared bishop gets chased but lands on f5, where it eyes the queenside and the centre. You're not in danger — you're just being asked to prove you can coordinate your pieces while White's pawns advance. Stay patient, keep the king safe, and look for the moment to strike back at White's centre.
What the Statistics Say About Your Chances
Across 222,169 games from this exact position, the results are close: White wins 50.3%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 45.6%. The low draw rate (just 4.1%) tells you this is a fighting opening — most games end with a decisive result. You're not playing for a draw here; you're playing for a win. Even though the engine says White has a small edge (+0.54), the practical results show Black scores respectably. In club play, knowing the key ideas a few moves deeper than your opponent turns that slight disadvantage into real winning chances.
Punishing White's Worst Moves
Not every White player knows what they're doing here. The database shows two clear blunders to be ready for. Nc3 (10,372 games, White scores 50.4%) is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.7 pawns — the engine says Bc4 was better. After Nc3 you can simply take on d5 and enjoy comfortable equality. Even worse is c4 (2,094 games, White scores just 39.8%), a mistake that costs about 2.1 pawns relative to best play. When White plays c4, they've weakened the d4 square and left the b5 bishop misplaced. Your position suddenly becomes very pleasant — you can play ...Nxd5 and start generating threats. If your opponent picks one of these inferior moves, make them pay.
Results across 222,169 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bc4 | 86,007 | 53.0% |
| Bxd7+ | 81,110 | 47.2% |
| Be2 | 29,817 | 53.3% |
| Nc3 | 10,372 | 50.4% |
| Qe2 | 10,076 | 48.7% |
| c4 | 2,094 | 39.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 3.Bb5+ a good response for White?
It's perfectly playable but not the most challenging. The engine gives it a small edge (+0.54), and Black scores 45.6% from this position — practically equal. White is better off playing the main lines with Nf3 or Nc3, but Bb5+ is common at club level.
Should I take on d5 with the knight after Bb5+?
No — the whole point of 3...Bd7 is to avoid the knight being pinned. If you play ...Nxd5, White has Bd7+ and you lose the right to castle. Stick with 3...Bd7 and develop naturally.
Why does the engine prefer Bc4 over Bxd7+?
Bxd7+ trades White's active bishop for your developed bishop and helps you develop your queen — not great for White. Bc4 keeps the bishop on the board and controls important central squares, which is why it scores best for White.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation: Bb5+?
Over 222K Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation: Bb5+ position. White wins 50.3%, Black wins 45.6%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.
What is Stockfish's evaluation of the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation: Bb5+?
At depth 16, Stockfish rates the Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation: Bb5+ as a slight advantage for White (+0.54) from White's perspective. This is the computer's assessment of the position after the main opening moves.