# Chess openings: What is the Scandinavian Defense?

Ready to add a new opening to your arsenal? Check out the Scandinavian Defense!

Learning openings requires understanding chess notation, the system for naming pieces and moves. [Get a refresher on chess notation here](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-notation/)!

## Scandinavian Defense: 4 quick facts

- The Scandinavian Defense is the oldest recorded chess opening, first described in a Valencian poem from the late 15th century.
- It was popularized by two Swedish brothers in the late 1800s and continues to be a popular choice among amateurs, though it’s less common at the [grandmaster level](https://blog.duolingo.com/how-to-become-a-chess-grandmaster/).
- It creates an [open](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#open), [asymmetrical](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#asymmetrical) game by challenging White’s [center](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-opening-moves-tips/#tip-2-control-the-center) immediately, giving it the secondary moniker of the Center-Counter Game.
- The Scandinavian Defense breaks the traditional opening principle of [not bringing the queen out early](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-opening-moves-tips/#tip-1-bring-out-your-pieces), but works nevertheless!

## Scandinavian Defense: the moves

Here are the moves for the Scandinavian Defense:

1. e4 d5

## Take White out of their comfort zone

For an exciting, [open](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#open) game that avoids [draws](https://preview.duolingo.com/chess/terms/how-does-chess-end?ref=blog.duolingo.com) and can throw White off guard and out of opening preparation, try the Scandinavian Defense!

If you’re looking for more openings, check out [our guide featuring over 30 options](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/) for every skill level!