Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5 Main Line 6.Bc4 Bg4
Scandinavian: 2...Qxd5, Main Line, 6.Bc4 Bg4
Definition
This phrase designates a specific branch of the Scandinavian (or Center-Counter) Defence that begins with the queen recapture 2…Qxd5 and continues down the so-called “Main Line,” culminating (in its most popular modern form) with the moves 6.Bc4 Bg4. In full, the critical position arises after:
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bg4
Move-by-Move Breakdown
- 1.e4 d5 – Black immediately challenges the centre.
- 2.exd5 Qxd5 – The defining Scandinavian idea: Black recaptures with the queen, accepting a loss of tempo for rapid piece activity and a pawn structure free of weaknesses.
- 3.Nc3 Qa5 – The main line retreat; the queen stays on the a5–e1 diagonal, eyeing both c3 and e1.
- 4.d4 Nf6 – White stakes even more central space; Black accelerates development.
- 5.Nf3 c6 – The modern, ultra-solid choice. The pawn on c6 protects d5 and prepares …Bf5 or …Bg4 without fearing Nb5.
- 6.Bc4 Bg4 – White places the bishop on the most aggressive diagonal, pointing at f7. Black responds with …Bg4, pinning the knight and starting an immediate fight for the light squares.
Strategic Themes
- Piece Pressure vs. Pawn Centre – White enjoys a classical pawn duo on e4 and d4, while Black relies on rapid piece play aimed at undermining that centre.
- The a5–e1 Diagonal – Black’s queen on a5 multiplies tactical ideas such as …Ne4, …Bb4, or discovered attacks along the diagonal.
- Light-Square Battle – After …Bg4, Black strives to exchange the f3-knight or force f2–f3, softening the squares e3 and g3.
- King Safety – Both sides often castle opposite wings (White short, Black long), leading to sharp pawn storms.
Typical Plans
- White
- Rapid development: 0-0, Qe2, Rd1.
- Push d4–d5 at the right moment to cramp Black.
- Target f7 with Bc4, Ng5, sometimes sacrificing on f7.
- Black
- Exchange on f3 to damage White’s kingside structure.
- Break in the centre with …e5 or …c5, leveraging the queen’s placement.
- Long castling followed by …h6, …g5 to kick White’s bishop and start a pawn storm.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
The queen-retreat line 3…Qa5 dates back to the 19th century, but it was refined in the 1980s and 1990s by Scandinavian specialists such as Curt Hansen, John Nunn, and later Magnus Carlsen (who employed the defence successfully in World Rapid & Blitz events). The sub-variation with 5…c6 gained prominence after Sergei Tiviakov used it almost exclusively—scoring an unbeaten score of +22 –0 =12 at one stretch between 2005 and 2016! The move 6…Bg4, however, injects more dynamism than Tiviakov’s preferred 6…Bf5, suiting players who value imbalance over solidity.
Illustrative Game
Carlsen, Magnus – Anton Guijarro, David, Wijk aan Zee 2019 (Tata Steel Masters)
Carlsen showed that quiet central consolidation (15.Bf4) can neutralise Black’s pressure, after which White’s space advantage became decisive.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Queen-Knight Forks – After …Qg5 or …Qh5, ideas like …Nxe4 double attack c3 and f2.
- Bishop Sacrifice on f2 – In lines where White delays castling, …Bxf2+ can lead to perpetual check or material gain.
- Pin Breakers – White can sometimes answer …Bg4 with 7.h3 or 7.Bd2, preparing g2–g4 to trap the bishop.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because Tiviakov’s statistical domination came before the rise of engines, the computer “second opinion” later revealed several critical drawing lines—spurring modern players to adopt the sharper 6…Bg4 instead of 6…Bf5.
- Grandmaster Nigel Short once quipped that after 2…Qxd5 “Black’s queen is a tourist without a return ticket.” The 6…Bg4 variation tries to prove the opposite: the queen’s early trip can justify itself if Black generates enough kingside pins and pressure.
- The ECO code for the position after 6.Bc4 Bg4 is B01. Some databases tag it as “Scandinavian, Mieses Variation, Main Line with 6…Bg4.”
Evaluation Summary
Modern theory rates the line as roughly equal. Engines give ≈ 0.20 in White’s favour, reflecting a small space edge but no concrete advantage. For practical play it remains double-edged, providing ample winning chances to both sides.