B02 · Alekhine Defense

Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5
♜♞♝♛♚♝♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♟♟♞♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♝♛♚♝♞♜
The position after 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5, White to move.

In the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

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The Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code B02. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5: 4 moves in, with White to play.

It belongs to the Alekhine Defense family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.

Club players rarely lose the Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

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Related openings

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