Chessy
Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation with 4...Nf6 — Your Guide to Playing Black
After 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.Nf3 Nf6, you reach the Valencian Variation of the Scandinavian Defense. It is White's turn, and the engine says this position gives them a +0.74 edge — so you are the one fighting for equality from the start. But the statistics tell a more encouraging story: across over three million online games, Black still wins 46% of the time, while White wins 49.2%. The difference is small in practice. Your task is to navigate a few critical early decisions, and the drill below will help you find the right setup to neutralise White's advantage.
Play the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation: Nf3 against the engine
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Create a free account →The Big Picture: What You Are Aiming For
By retreating the queen to d8 on move three and developing your knight to f6, you are saying: 'I will not rush things.' Unlike the main-line Scandinavian where Black's queen becomes a target on d5 (or later on a5), the Valencian prioritises piece play and solid development. You keep the centre flexible and dare White to overextend. The engine may favour White (+0.74), but at club level that small edge means nothing if White does not know how to follow up properly. Your plan in the coming moves is to fianchetto your light-squared bishop, castle kingside, and challenge the centre with moves like ...c5 or ...e5 when the time is right. Patience is your greatest weapon here.
The Engine's Answer: What White Should Play
Stockfish's top recommendation for White is d4, followed by g6, Bg5, and Bg7 from both sides. That sequence shows you the kind of struggle you can expect: White takes space in the centre, pins your knight, and you develop your bishop to g7, building pressure along the long diagonal. This is a well-known, solid approach for both colours. If your opponent plays d4, you should respond with g6 and prepare to meet Bg5 with Bg7 — a perfectly sound, modern setup. You are not worse in those lines by a crushing margin; you just have to play accurately and avoid drifting.
Most-Played Moves: Where the Battle Happens
In real play, White chooses from several moves. Here is how the most common options perform (from White's scoring perspective, so lower is better for you):- Bc4 (1,180,560 games, White scores 49.2%) — The most popular. White develops and eyes f7. You should reply ...e6 or ...Bg4, solidly covering the centre.- d4 (1,077,562 games, White scores 50.6%) — The engine's first choice. Respond with g6 and aim for the fianchetto.- Be2 (206,315 games, White scores 48.1%) — A quieter move, and statistically the best for you. Develop normally with ...Bg4 or ...e6.- d3 (200,586 games, White scores 45.8%) — White scores worst here! A passive choice you can punish by seizing the centre with ...c5 or ...e5.- Bb5+ (174,282 games, White scores 47.5%) — A known inaccuracy. See the next section.- h3 (76,638 games, White scores 49.7%) — Prevent ...Bg4. You can put your bishop on a different square or simply continue developing.Notice that none of White's most-played moves score above 50.6% — this opening is razor-tight in practice.
Punish This Common Mistake: Bb5+
One of the most frequent moves White tries is 5.Bb5+, played over 174,000 times. According to Stockfish, this is an inaccuracy that costs White roughly 0.6 pawns of advantage compared to the best move (d4). After Bb5+, you can simply block with ...Bd7 (or ...Nbd7, but Bd7 is cleanest). If White captures your bishop on d7, you recapture with the knight and develop with tempo. If White retreats, you gain time by chasing the bishop. Either way, you have improved your position and reduced White's edge. Make sure you are ready to pounce on this mistake — it is one of the most practical ways to score points in the Valencian.
Results across 3,067,626 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bc4 | 1,180,560 | 49.2% |
| d4 | 1,077,562 | 50.6% |
| Be2 | 206,315 | 48.1% |
| d3 | 200,586 | 45.8% |
| Bb5+ | 174,282 | 47.5% |
| h3 | 76,638 | 49.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scandinavian Defense Valencian Variation sound for Black?
Yes, it is a solid opening choice. While the engine gives White a +0.74 edge, the practical results from over three million games are nearly even: White wins 49.2%, draws 4.8%, and Black wins 46.0%. At the amateur level, the Valencian is perfectly playable and leads to rich middlegames.
Why does Black retreat the queen to d8 on move 3?
Moving the queen back to d8 avoids typical targets like Qa5 (which can be chased by b5) or Qd6 (which blocks the c8-bishop). By returning to d8, Black develops normally with ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7, and keeps the queen safe. This is the defining idea of the Valencian Variation.
What is the best reply to White's Bc4 in this position?
The most common reply is ...e6, immediately solidifying the centre and blocking the bishop's attack on f7. Alternatively, ...Bg4 pinning the f3-knight is also a good developing move. Both options are played frequently and lead to balanced play.
How should Black respond if White plays Bb5+ on move 5?
Block with Bd7. If White captures your bishop, recapture with the knight and you have developed with tempo. If White retreats the bishop, you gain time by chasing it away. Bb5+ is actually a mistake (an inaccuracy) — it loses about 0.6 pawns of advantage compared to the best move, d4.