ECO E11 · Bogo-Indian Defense

Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

5. g3+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation (E11), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. g3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.445. g3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8. O-O h6 9. Ne5 Rd8
  2. +0.305. Nc3 Bxc3 6. Bxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 Nxc3 8. Qxc3 a5 9. a3 h6
  3. +0.295. e3 Bxd2+ 6. Nfxd2 O-O 7. Be2 b6 8. Nc3 d5 9. O-O Rd8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. g3 for White, continuing Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8. O-O h6 9. Ne5 Rd8. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 5. Nc3 (+0.30) and 5. e3 (+0.29).
Is the Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Bogo-Indian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?
E11. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; E is the volume for indian defenses.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).