Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...d5/2. exd5/2...Nf6/3. d4

Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation

3. d4

Scandinavian Defense
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/5n2/3P4/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR b
Moves: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4
ECO code: B01
Responses: 3...Qxd5 3...Nxd5 3...Bg4

This is the most popular of White's third move options. It gives back the pawn but occupies the center and attempts to gain time. White often combines this with c2-c4 to gain a space advantage. Black can play 3...Qxd5 which will often transpose to a main line, but more popular choices are 3...Nxd5 and 3...Bg4. The former is the more respected option but Black tends to suffer in the resulting cramped positions. This has led to the rise of the Portuguese Variation or Jadoul Gambit with 3...Bg4. This allows White to hold onto the pawn in a few ways but ensures quick development for Black and avoids many downfalls of other variations of the Scandinavian.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4

3	4	5	6
‎ Nxd5	Nf3 g6	c4 Nb6	Nc3 ‎	+/=
‎ ...	Nf3 Bg4	Be2 e6	O-O ‎	+/=
‎ Bg4	f3 Bf5	g4 Bg6	c4 e6	+/-
‎ ...	Nf3 Qxd5	Be2 Nc6	h3 ‎	+/=