Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit: what should Black play?

In the Scandinavian Defense: Blackburne-Kloosterboer Gambit, Black faces a check against the e8 and must address the pin on the diagonal. The engine's top recommendation is Bd7, which carries an evaluation of -0.17 and neutralizes White's initiative while comfortably contesting the light squares. The alternative interposition Nc6 is also fully viable, holding an evaluation of +0.00 and appearing in 52.9% of the 470,117 games recorded at this position.

Developing with Bd7

The move Bd7 is chosen in 44.0% of recorded games (207K recorded) and leaves White scoring 44.5%. By offering an immediate trade of the checking bishop, Black seeks to eliminate White's active piece on b5 without compromising the queenside pawn structure. In the illustrative line Bd7 O-O Bxb5 Nxb5 e6 Qe2, Black trades the bishop pair, fortifies the central d5 pawn with e6, and quickly prepares kingside development.

Pinning with Nc6

The most frequently played option is Nc6, seen in 249K recorded games, where White scores 43.2%. Developing the knight develops a piece toward the center while accepting a pin along the a4-e8 diagonal. The engine continuation Nc6 Ne5 Bd7 d4 e6 O-O shows White immediately increasing pressure on the pinned piece, which prompts Black to unpin with the bishop while solidifying the center.

Inferior Alternatives

Black can also play Nbd7, chosen in 3.0% of recorded encounters (14K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.29, leading into Nbd7 d4 e6 O-O Bd6 Bd3. However, retreating or blundering material must be strictly avoided. The move Nfd7 (+1.92) concedes the central d5 pawn via Nfd7 Nxd5 e6 Ne3 a6 Be2, with White scoring 69.1%. Even worse is Qd7 (+5.69), which loses queen material to Qd7 Bxd7+ Bxd7 Ne5 d4 Ne2 and results in an 81.4% score for White across 440 games.