Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Heinola-Deppe Gambit

Definition

The line arises from the Nimzowitsch Defense (1. e4 Nc6) when White occupies the centre with 2. d4 and Black strikes back immediately with 2...d5. Because the game soon features …Qxd5 in Scandinavian style, this branch is called the Scandinavian Variation of the Nimzowitsch. Within that system:

• Bogoljubow Variation: 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 Bg4.
• Heinola-Deppe Gambit: 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 e5!? — Black sacrifices a pawn for rapid development; the name honours Finnish master Asko Heinola and German theoretician Helmut Deppe, who analysed it in the 1970s.

Typical Move Order

The most common sequence leading into the two sub-variations is:

1. e4  Nc6
2. d4  d5
3. exd5  Qxd5
4. Nf3  (diagram position after 4.Nf3)

From here Black chooses between:

• 4…Bg4 (Bogoljubow) aiming to pin the knight and impede e2–e4.
• 4…e5 (Heinola-Deppe) offering a pawn for an open game and piece activity.

Strategic Themes

• Hypermodern spirit. By playing …Nc6 first, Black invites White to seize space and then plans to undermine it with …d5 and pressure along the dark squares.
• Queen development. As in the mainstream Scandinavian, Black brings the queen out early. The trade-off: immediate central influence vs. potential tempo-gaining attacks by White.
• Pins and piece play. In the Bogoljubow line, …Bg4 is designed to create tactical latent threats such as …O-O-O and …e5 hitting d4 and f3 simultaneously.
• Gambit mentality. The Heinola-Deppe Gambit embraces dynamic imbalance; if White accepts (5. dxe5), Black counts on rapid development (…Bg4, …O-O-O, …f6) to generate counterplay.

Historical Background

Aron Nimzowitsch first tested 1…Nc6 at master level in the 1910s, arguing that classical dogma underrates flexible knight moves. The early …d5 idea was soon picked up by Efim Bogoljubow, whose 1920s praxis popularised the pin with …Bg4. The pawn sacrifice 4…e5 was later explored in Finnish correspondence circles; analysis published by Heinola and Deppe (Schach 1973) gave the gambit its double surname.

Illustrative Lines

Bogoljubow Variation sample — main ideas condensed:

Black delays …e6 to castle long quickly and maintains pressure on d4. If White plays 7. h3, the pin morphs after 7…Bxf3 8. Bxf3 Qh4.

Heinola-Deppe Gambit core line (one of many branches):

Material is level after 9…exd4, yet Black’s pieces swarm toward the kingside while White’s structure is fractured.

Model Game

Hübsch – Bogoljubow, Berlin 1925 (shortened): 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 O-O-O 6. O-O Nf6 7. c4 Qh5 8. Be3 e5 9. d5 e4 10. Nd4 Nxd4 11. Bxg4+ Nxg4 0-1. The pin and central break overwhelm White in just eleven moves.

Practical Tips

• After 4…Bg4, White should choose between steady development (Be2, c4) or the sharp 5. c4 Qe4+ 6. Be3 to chase the queen.
• Against the Heinola-Deppe Gambit, declining with 5. c4! avoids extra theory and keeps a slight edge.
• If you play Black, memorise safety exits such as …Qe6+ to redeploy the queen if harassed.

Interesting Facts

• Grandmaster Alexey Fedorov has employed the Bogoljubow Variation in rapid events, proving it is not only a curiosity.
• The earliest reference to 4…e5 dates to a 1919 Finnish newspaper column—but the move was not analysed deeply until Heinola’s mimeographed booklet half a century later.
• Because the move order 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 can transpose to the Pirc, Nimzowitsch himself jokingly called 2…d5 “The Scandinavian Shortcut.”

Conclusion

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation and its offshoots provide a resourceful, off-beat weapon for Black. The Bogoljubow line offers solid development with latent tactical sting, while the Heinola-Deppe Gambit caters to players who relish material sacrifices for initiative. Though theoretically sounder alternatives exist, these systems are perfectly playable and can surprise opponents unprepared for the early queen excursion on move three.