The Classical Variation 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 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves.
On the Scandinavian Defense generally: Black immediately challenges White's e4 pawn. Simple to learn but strategically deep.
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The Classical Variation goes 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5. It is a variation of the Scandinavian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B01.
The Classical Variation 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 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 at +0.56 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.