ECO code: B01
Opening Name: Scandinavian Defense: 2...Qxd5, 5.Bd2
Moves: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd2
Description: This variation of the Scandinavian Defense sees Black recapturing early with the queen on d5 and then retreating it to a5 to maintain pressure. White develops actively with 5.Bd2, directly challenging Black’s queen on a5. This move is characteristic for its dual purpose: it develops a piece while forcing Black’s queen to decide its position, gaining White time for further development.
Characteristic of 5.Bd2: The move 5.Bd2 is a natural developing move that also attacks Black’s queen, encouraging it to move again. This helps White gain tempo and can disrupt Black’s smooth development. It reflects White’s intent to control the initiative by challenging Black’s queen early.
Playing Style: From White’s perspective, this move is attacking in the sense that it actively targets Black’s queen and aims to seize the initiative. Black’s setup, meanwhile, is more defensive and positional, trying to hold on to the extra pawn and maintain solid development despite the queen’s early exposure.
Center Control: This opening definitely involves direct contest over the center. White’s early d4 and piece development aim to establish a strong central presence, while Black’s early queen moves try to challenge that control and seek counterplay.
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 Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5, 5.Bd2, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 12 - Move #8 black