Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line position after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4. White: pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, knight on f6, bishop on g4.
Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4. It is classified B01 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Scandinavian Defense challenges the e4 pawn immediately with 1...d5, leading after 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 to a position where Black's queen must retreat but Black's structure is sound and the light-squared bishop is free.
Strategic character
Black loses a little time with the queen but gets a simple, clear position with no long-term weaknesses. Because there are far fewer branches than in the Sicilian or French, it is one of the least theory-heavy answers to 1.e4.
Who should play it
Players who want a reliable defence to 1.e4 with a small amount of theory to learn.
This line is a variation within the Scandinavian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line?
The Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4. It is classified B01 in the ECO system. The Scandinavian Defense challenges the e4 pawn immediately with 1...d5, leading after 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 to a position where Black's queen must retreat but Black's structure is sound and the light-squared bishop is free.
What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line?
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd8 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Scandinavian Defense: Valencian Variation, Main Line good for beginners?
Players who want a reliable defence to 1.e4 with a small amount of theory to learn.