ECO code: B00
Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation
Moves: 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5
Characteristic: This variation of the Nimzowitsch Defense immediately challenges White's central pawn on e4 with an early ...d5, similar in spirit to the Scandinavian Defense. The move ...Nc6 on the first move is an uncommon but flexible knight development, aiming to put pressure on the center and provoke White into committing early.
Playing Style: For Black, this opening is somewhat aggressive as it contests the center right away and seeks active piece play. For White, the game often leads to open positions where White can maintain central control but must be ready for counterattacks.
Center Control: Both sides fight actively for the center. Black challenges White’s central pawns immediately with ...d5, so the opening is very much about contesting the center rather than avoiding it.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 46 - Move #6 white