Chessy
Scandinavian Mainline: Black to move after 3...Qa5
The Scandinavian Mainline gives you a very direct fight from the start: Black has already recaptured on d5 and tucked the queen away to a5. In the drill, you will be Black in the main tabiya after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5, and White is to move. The position is not equal in practice, so you need to know what White is aiming for and what your setup should be. Use the drill to get used to the most common continuations and to spot the one listed mistake when it appears.
Play the Scandinavian Mainline against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position says about the opening
This exact position is popular and heavily tested, so you are not learning a rare sideline. Across 17,416,927 games at this position, White wins 48.1%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 48.1%. That is a very practical score, but the engine evaluation is still +0.70, which means White is better. So the opening is playable, yet you should not treat this as an easy equaliser. As Black, your job is to stay accurate and avoid drifting into a long-term worse position.
The move White chooses most often
The most-played continuation is Nf3, with 6,592,520 games and White scoring 47.2%. The engine’s best continuation from the tabiya is also Nf3. That makes this the move you need to know best in the drill. After that, the engine line given is Nf3 c6 d4 Nf6, which is a reminder that Black usually wants a solid, development-first setup rather than grabbing space recklessly. When White goes for this main try, focus on smooth piece development and king safety.
Other White tries you should expect
White has several common choices here, so do not assume the same plan every game. The database lists d4 as a major option with 5,118,861 games and White scoring 48.9%. It also shows d3 with 1,823,545 games, Bc4 with 1,397,675 games, b4 with 527,782 games, and a3 with 351,517 games. These numbers tell you this is a flexible position where White can choose between quick development, a quieter setup, or more direct queenside ambitions. Your drill goal is to recognise the structure quickly and respond calmly.
The one listed mistake to punish
The known mistake in this position is b4, and it is marked as an inaccuracy. The note says it loses ~0.6 pawns and that d4 was better. That is valuable for practical play: if White pushes too fast on the queenside, you should be alert for a chance to keep the position under control and make the extra pawn advance feel overextended. In the drill, pay attention to whether White is playing sensibly or loosening the position with b4.
Results across 17,416,927 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 6,592,520 | 47.2% |
| d4 | 5,118,861 | 48.9% |
| d3 | 1,823,545 | 47.2% |
| Bc4 | 1,397,675 | 49.2% |
| b4 | 527,782 | 56.1% |
| a3 | 351,517 | 46.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scandinavian Mainline good for Black?
It is certainly playable, but this exact position is not shown as an advantage for Black. The evaluation is **+0.70**, so White is better, even though the database results are very balanced in wins. You should expect a real game, not a free equaliser.
What is the main move White plays here?
The most-played continuation is **Nf3**, and the engine also names **Nf3** as best. In the database it appears in **6,592,520 games**, so it is the move you are most likely to face. Learning the position after that move is the best first step.
What should Black aim for after 3...Qa5?
Black should aim for quick development and solid piece placement. The engine continuation given is **Nf3 c6 d4 Nf6**, which shows a fairly standard setup rather than a sharp tactical race. In this opening, accuracy matters more than memorising tricks.
Is b4 dangerous for White or Black?
In the listed position, **b4** is the known mistake, and it is called an inaccuracy. The note says it **loses ~0.6 pawns** and that **d4** was better. That makes b4 a useful practical target if your opponent is drifting into an overextension.
How many games feature the Scandinavian Mainline?
Over 17 million Lichess games have reached the Scandinavian Mainline position. White wins 48.1%, Black wins 48.1%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.