The Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation is a variation of the Scandinavian Defense, catalogued as ECO B01. The line runs 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nge2 Bf5 7. Bf4 Qb4, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. White is ahead in development, with four minor pieces out to Black's two. It is White to move after seven moves.
On the Scandinavian Defense generally: Black immediately challenges White's e4 pawn. Simple to learn but strategically deep.
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The Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern Variation goes 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nge2 Bf5 7. Bf4 Qb4. It is a variation of the Scandinavian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B01.
The Schiller-Pytel Variation, Modern 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 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nge2 Bf5 7. Bf4 Qb4 at +0.51 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. White is ahead in development, with four minor pieces out to Black's two. It is White to move.