The Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack is a variation of the Scandinavian Defense, catalogued as ECO B01. The line runs 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. The d-file file is fully open.
On the Scandinavian Defense generally: Black immediately challenges White's e4 pawn. Simple to learn but strategically deep.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
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The Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack goes 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2. It is a variation of the Scandinavian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B01.
The Anderssen Counterattack, Orthodox Attack is ECO B01. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Scandinavian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd2 at +0.71 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. The d-file file is fully open.