ECO E20 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

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

4. Nf3+0.16

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense (E20), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.16).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.164. Nf3 d5 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 Ne4 8. Bd2 e5
  2. +0.144. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 O-O 7. Bg5 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b6
  3. +0.144. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nc6

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3

All Nimzo-Indian Defense variations (67)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White, continuing d5 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 Ne4 8. Bd2 e5. The position is roughly equal (+0.16). The next best moves are 4. Qc2 (+0.14) and 4. e3 (+0.14).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.16: the position is roughly equal. 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 Nimzo-Indian Defense?
E20. 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+).