ECO E32 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2

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

4… d5+0.20

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

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation (E32), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.20).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.204… d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 h5 9. e3
  2. +0.224… O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 c5 9. Bd3
  3. +0.374… c5 5. dxc5 O-O 6. a3 Bxc5 7. Nf3 d5 8. Bg5 dxc4 9. e3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black, continuing 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 h5 9. e3. The position is roughly equal (+0.20). The next best moves are 4… O-O (+0.22) and 4… c5 (+0.37).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.20: 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: Classical Variation?
E32. 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+).