3...Bg4 Scandinavian
3...Bg4 Scandinavian
Definition
“3...Bg4 Scandinavian” refers to the move order arising after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3, when Black plays 3...Bg4. This is an attempt to develop the c8-bishop aggressively on the g4–d1 diagonal. However, played immediately, 3...Bg4 is a tactical blunder because White can reply 4. Qxg4, simply winning a bishop. The correct way to reach a useful ...Bg4 setup is with the intermediate check 3...Qe5+, forcing 4. Be2, after which 4...Bg4 becomes playable.
Usage in Chess
In the classical Scandinavian Defense (1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5), Black’s standard third moves are 3...Qa5 and 3...Qd6. The move 3...Bg4 is sometimes seen at club level but is unsound on the spot. Conceptually, Black aims to:
- Develop the c8-bishop actively to g4, pressuring the g4–d1 diagonal.
- Provoke weaknesses like f2–f3 or force White’s bishop to e2, then trade on e2 to disrupt coordination.
Practically, this concept works only after the preparatory 3...Qe5+ 4. Be2, when 4...Bg4 cannot be met by Qxg4 (the e2-square is now occupied). Thus the playable line is: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe5+ 4. Be2 Bg4.
Strategic and Historical Notes
The immediate 3...Bg4 is a good example of how an attractive-looking developing move can fail tactically when the queen on d1 has a clear diagonal path to g4. The corrected idea with 3...Qe5+ 4. Be2 Bg4 is a known sideline of the Scandinavian; databases often list it under the “Qe5+ lines,” sometimes labeled the Blackburne–Kloosterboer line. Typical plans for Black there include ...Nc6, ...0-0-0, and sometimes ...h5–h4 to gain space on the kingside. White, for their part, tries d4, Nf3, Be3, and c2–c4, often gaining tempi against the exposed black queen.
Move-Order Essentials and Pitfalls
- Don’t play 3...Bg4? immediately: 4. Qxg4 wins a full piece with no compensation.
- If you want ...Bg4, first play 3...Qe5+ to force 4. Be2, then 4...Bg4 becomes logical.
- White should remember the simple refutation: after 3...Bg4?, just take with Qxg4.
- Related idea: In the Portuguese Variation (1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4), ...Bg4 is thematic because White’s queen does not have a direct line to g4.
Examples
Refutation of the immediate 3...Bg4:
After 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Bg4? the g4–d1 diagonal is open for White’s queen. White wins a piece with 4. Qxg4. Black has no adequate compensation, even after tries like ...Qe5+ when White calmly blocks and consolidates the extra material.
Illustrative mini-sequence:
Correct idea with 3...Qe5+ 4. Be2 Bg4:
Here Black gets a playable middlegame, aiming for rapid development and queenside castling:
Positionally, note how White gains time with d4 and Be3 against Black’s active queen, while Black seeks counterplay via ...Nc6 and ...0-0-0.
Interesting Facts and Anecdotes
- The blunder 3...Bg4?? is a common trap at club level; many quick wins for White start with 4. Qxg4.
- The diagonal trick is memorable: from d1 the queen reaches g4 via e2 and f3. If those squares are unoccupied, Qxg4 is possible; once Black has induced 4. Be2, the path is blocked.
- Even strong players have to respect tempi in the Scandinavian—moving the queen early invites White to hit it with gain of time. The ...Qe5+ lines walk a fine balance between activity and overextension.
Practical Tips
- As Black: If you want ...Bg4 in this structure, remember the key move order: 3...Qe5+ first.
- As White: Against 3...Qe5+ 4. Be2 Bg4, play d4 quickly to attack the queen and seize space. Don’t fear Bxe2; after Ngxe2 you keep a solid center and lead in development.
- As a sanity check: before playing ...Bg4 in any opening, always verify whether Qxg4 is legal for your opponent.