Scandinavian Defense: what to play after c5?

In this position arising from the Scandinavian Defense, White's most reliable option according to engine analysis is c3, which carries an evaluation of -0.06. Although Nf3 is the most popular choice across recorded games, c3 provides White with a solid structural base to defend the advanced e5 pawn while preparing central support. Choosing c3 has yielded White a 49.1% score across 1.12 million games, outperforming the alternatives in overall scoring.

Solidifying the Center with c3

The move c3 has been selected in 36.9% of the 3.03 million recorded games at this position. Its primary strategic function is to prepare support for a later push to d4, which helps reinforce the advanced pawn on e5 against pressure on the d5 and c5 squares. A sample continuation provided by the engine is c3 Bf5 d4 e6 Bb5+ Nd7, where White immediately builds a classical central pawn wedge before developing the light-squared bishop with check.

Popular Alternatives

The most frequent choice in recorded play is Nf3, appearing in 48.7% of games (1.47 million recorded). It scores 47.5% for White with an engine evaluation of -0.28, featuring the sample sequence Nf3 Bg4 h3 Bxf3 Bb5+ Nd7. A sharper tactical approach is the immediate check Bb5+, seen in 10.1% of games (305 thousand recorded) with an evaluation of -0.36 and a 46.7% score, following the illustrative line Bb5+ Bd7 a4 a6 Bxd7+ Nxd7.

Minor Continuations

Less common options include developing the queenside knight with Nc3, played in 2.2% of games (65 thousand recorded) with an evaluation of -0.41 and a White score of 44.4%, leading into Nc3 e6 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5 Ne7. Finally, the prophylactic h3 is evaluated at -0.50, where play can proceed h3 e6 Nf3 Ne7 d4 cxd4.