FENrnb1kbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/q7/2B5/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQK1NR w KQkq -
Scandinavian Defense: Main Line: what should White play?
Best move
d4+0.56
By playing d4, you seize full control of the center and open lines for your c1. This move forces Black to respect your central presence while preparing to neutralize the pressure…
- Games played
- 348K
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.56
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why d4 is the best move
d4! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 2 top moves — you found a winning strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing d4, you seize full control of the center and open lines for your c1. This move forces Black to respect your central presence while preparing to neutralize the pressure from the a5.
Multiple Valid Strategies
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | +0.56 | Classical Dominance: Claims the center immediately and prepares Bd2. |
| Nf3 | +0.50 | Flexible Development: A solid alternative favored by 30% of humans to prepare castling. |
Different paths, same destination: While Nf3 is the "human" choice to develop safely, your move d4 is the engine's preferred way to dictate the pace. Both moves aim to consolidate the position, but d4 is more ambitious, challenging Black to find a response to your space advantage.
Your Continuation
After d4:
Nf6 Bd2 Bf5 Nd5 Qd8
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That the a5 is temporarily misplaced. By pushing d4, you prepare Bd2, which will force the Queen to retreat while you maintain a powerful pawn on d4 that cramps Black's development.
📚 Takeaway: You found a move that 0% of humans typically play in this position! Trusting your central control over standard development shows great chess vision.
What else gets played here
Move choices from 348K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | +0.50 | 181K | 49% | |
| d4Engine pick | +0.56 | 78K | 51% | |
| Nge2 | +0.39 | 57K | 52% | |
| Qe2 | +0.41 | 6.9K | 59% | |
| d3 | — | 0 | — |
The line
More positions in the Scandinavian Defense
- Best moveexd5Pawn e4 → d5Scandinavian Defense153M games
- Best moveNf6Knight g8 → f6Scandinavian Defense101M games
- Best moveNc3Knight b1 → c3Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation71M games
- Best moved4Pawn d5 → d4Scandinavian Defense26M games
- Best moveNxd5Knight f6 → d5Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation22M games
- Best movec5Pawn c7 → c5Scandinavian Defense22M games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for White in the Scandinavian Defense: Main Line?
d4 (+0.56). By playing d4, you seize full control of the center and open lines for your c1. This move forces Black to respect your central presence while preparing to neutralize the pressure…
Why is d4 the best move here?
By playing d4, you seize full control of the center and open lines for your c1. This move forces Black to respect your central presence while preparing to neutralize the pressure from the a5.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 348K times in the opening book.