Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation — Bb5+ Made Easy for Black
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.Bb5+, White immediately puts the question to your bishop — and the answer is 4...c6. You've stepped into the Valencian Variation, a solid Scandinavian line where Black gives back the tempo to seize space in the centre. The engine calls this dead level (+0.15), and the statistics from 316,820 games agree: Black actually scores a hair more wins (48.3%) than White (47.3%). That makes this a perfect choice if you want a safe, sound position with real winning chances. Below the interactive drill, you'll learn the main ideas, the best reply to White's most popular moves, and the one blunder you can punish immediately. Dive in and play it yourself!
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation: Bb5+ against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Now put these ideas into action! Play the position as Black against the adapting engine below and practise punishing Bxc6+ when White blunders. Create a free (f
Create a free account →What Black Is Fighting For
By retreating the queen to d8 on move 3 and then playing 4...c6, you've said: 'I don't mind losing a tempo. I want to build a solid centre.' The point is that your c6-pawn kicks White's light-squared bishop and prepares ...d5 later (or sometimes ...Bf5 and ...e6). Your pawn on c6 supports a future ...d5 advance, and it keeps White's pieces out of b5 and d5. The engine gives +0.15 — that's a statistical draw with no advantage for either side. In practice, you will often reach a structure where White has a space advantage, but your pieces are easy to develop: knight to f6, bishop to f5, pawn to e6, and castle short. You are slightly cramped but very solid, and the engine thinks you are perfectly fine.
The Engine's Answer and the Critical Retreat
Stockfish's favourite reply to 4...c6 is Bc4, and the plan it suggests runs Bc4 Nf6 d4 Bf5. White wants a French-like centre with pawns on d4 and e4, while your bishop on f5 is an active piece outside the pawn chain. In the Lichess database, Bc4 has been played 121,463 times and White scores only 47.6%. That's fine for you. You should aim to get your knight to f6, develop the c8-bishop to f5, tuck your king away, and meet White's d4 with ...e6. Don't fear the centre: you can chip away with ...c5 later if White allows it.
The Most Common White Replies and What to Do
The most popular move in the position is Ba4 (152,865 games, nearly half of all games). White retreats the bishop, trying to keep it on the a4–e8 diagonal. After Ba4, your plan is the same: ...Nf6 and then ...Bf5. White scores just 47.7% with Ba4 — essentially no edge. Be2 (21,027 games) and Bd3 (15,494 games) are less common but still respectable. Against Bd3, Black scores a healthy 54.5% — don't be intimidated by the bishop eyeing your kingside; just develop naturally. Bf1 (only 4,409 games) is a bizarre retreat that leaves White far behind in development; Black scores 57.2%. In every case, your simple recipe — Nf6, Bf5, e6, and castling short — works beautifully.
The One Blunder You Must Spot
White sometimes tries Bxc6+, capturing the pawn you just pushed. This is a terrible idea. Across 526 games, White scores a miserable 23.8% — and the engine says it loses roughly 4.6 pawns worth of material. After Bxc6+, recapture with the knight, and you have two bishops and a lead in development with White's centre vulnerable. If your opponent plays this in the drill (or over the board), calmly recapture and enjoy a position that is close to winning. Don't waste time — just take and develop quickly.
Results across 316,820 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Ba4 | 152,865 | 47.7% |
| Bc4 | 121,463 | 47.6% |
| Be2 | 21,027 | 47.0% |
| Bd3 | 15,494 | 45.5% |
| Bf1 | 4,409 | 42.8% |
| Bxc6+ | 526 | 23.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Why does Black play Qd8 on move 3 in the Scandinavian?
By retreating the queen to d8, Black avoids the tempo losses that come from leaving the queen exposed on d-file or a-file alternatives after Nc3. The idea is to build a solid structure with ...c6 and later ...d5 or ...e6, keeping the queen safe and avoiding White's attacking chances. It's a patient, positional approach.
Is 4...c6 a good move against Bb5+?
Yes — the engine evaluates the position after 4...c6 as +0.15, which is dead level. In practice, Black wins 48.3% of games, slightly more than White. The move kicks the bishop, gains space, and prepares ...d5 or ...Nf6 without any risk.
What is the best plan for Black after Ba4?
Develop naturally: ...Nf6, ...Bf5, ...e6, and castle kingside. The bishop on a4 is not threatening — you can ignore it or later chase it with ...a6 and ...b5 if White allows. White scores only 47.7% after Ba4, so you are doing well.
Should I be afraid of Bxc6+?
No — it's a blunder that loses nearly 5 pawns worth of material. Just recapture with the knight and enjoy a massive advantage. White scores only 23.8% after this move. If your opponent plays it in the drill, punish them immediately.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation: Bb5+?
Over 316K Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation: Bb5+ position. White wins 47.3%, Black wins 48.3%, with 4.4% draws — based on real rated games.