ECO code: B02
Alekhine: Scandinavian Variation
Moves: 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3
This variation arises after Black challenges White's central pawn with the hypermodern move 1...Nf6 (Alekhine's Defense), and White responds with 2. Nc3 instead of the more common 2. e5. The move 2. Nc3 develops a knight to a natural square, supporting the center and preparing to recapture or exert influence over the central squares.
Characteristic: The characteristic feature of this line is White’s flexible development, avoiding immediate central tension and waiting to see how Black proceeds. It can transpose into various setups depending on Black’s response.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, this move is slightly more positional and flexible rather than aggressively attacking. It supports center control indirectly and prepares for rapid development. Black’s move 1...Nf6 is provocative and invites White to overextend, so Black is aiming for a counter-attacking game.
Center Control: While White does not immediately occupy or attack the center with pawns, the knight on c3 supports central squares (d5 and e4), contributing to the fight for the center. Black’s Alekhine Defense is a hypermodern strategy, encouraging White to push the center pawns early, so this variation is part of the overall battle for central control.
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 Alekhine: Scandinavian Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 108 - Move #5 white