Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation as Black
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8, White already has the move and a little more freedom. Your queen has gone back, so the opening is not about grabbing space — it is about staying solid, finishing development, and meeting White’s most natural setups without drifting into passive play. The drill below trains you in the exact position where the game usually starts to take shape, so you can learn what White wants and how Black should answer.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What this position is really about
This opening leads to a very simple strategic question: can Black complete development smoothly after the queen retreat, or will White use the lead in space and time to build a comfortable position? Stockfish rates this +0.63, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, so your job is not to win the opening outright — it is to keep the game close and avoid giving White an easy pull. In practical terms, you want calm piece activity, a safe king, and a good response to White’s central plans.
The engine’s main idea
The engine’s best move here is d4, and the suggested continuation is d4 e6 Nf3 Nf6. That tells you what Black should be ready for: White often wants to claim the centre and develop naturally, while you aim to meet that setup with solid piece placement. Against this kind of structure, patience matters. If you rush or move the same piece too many times, White’s space advantage becomes easier to use. The drill helps you learn the position by feel, not by memorising a long line.
What the database says White usually plays
In this exact position, the database is huge: 21,234,474 games. White wins 50.9%, draws 4.6%, and Black wins 44.5%. That is a useful warning sign: White does score a bit better, but Black still wins plenty of games, so the position is very playable if you know the ideas. The most common continuations are Nf3 with 9,273,568 games, d4 with 6,153,831 games, Bc4 with 2,860,888 games, d3 with 845,357 games, Bb5+ with 516,512 games, and Be2 with 318,400 games. Your main task is to be ready for all of White’s natural developing moves without becoming cramped.
The mistake to punish and the move to expect
The one known mistake listed here is d3, which is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; the better move was d4. That is very helpful for training, because it shows which quiet move can let White slip a little. If White chooses d3, do not relax — just continue to develop sensibly and keep your position coordinated. More broadly, this opening rewards Black when you stay alert to White’s central play and punish any slow setup by finishing development cleanly.
Results across 21,234,474 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 9,273,568 | 50.7% |
| d4 | 6,153,831 | 52.4% |
| Bc4 | 2,860,888 | 50.6% |
| d3 | 845,357 | 47.5% |
| Bb5+ | 516,512 | 47.9% |
| Be2 | 318,400 | 48.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation good for Black?
It is playable, but this position gives White a small edge. Stockfish rates it +0.63, so you should not expect an opening advantage for Black. The practical goal is to stay solid and handle White’s most natural developing moves well.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move here is d4, and the suggested continuation is d4 e6 Nf3 Nf6. That shows the kind of central play Black must be ready for after White gets the move. The drill helps you practise meeting that plan correctly.
What should White usually play here?
The most-played continuations are Nf3, d4, Bc4, d3, Bb5+, and Be2. White often develops naturally and looks for a comfortable lead in space and piece activity. You should be prepared for those sensible options rather than hunting for a trick.
Is d3 a good choice for White?
No, d3 is listed as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was d4. That makes d3 a useful move to know if you are Black, because it is one of the small errors you can meet confidently. The position still needs accurate play, though.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation?
Over 21 million Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation position. White wins 50.9%, Black wins 44.5%, with 4.6% draws — based on real rated games.