Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Bxc3+
6. Qxc3+0.83
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation (E38), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Bxc3+, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Qxc3 for White. White is clearly better (+0.83).
Top engine moves
- +0.836. Qxc3 b6 7. cxb6 axb6 8. g3 Bb7 9. Nf3 d5 10. Bg2 O-O
- −0.186. bxc3 Na6 7. g3 Nxc5 8. Bg2 d6 9. Be3 Qc7 10. Nf3 Bd7
- −4.606. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 Ne4 8. Qf4 Qa5+ 9. Kd1 f5 10. f3 Nf2+
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Bxc3+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Qxc3 for White, continuing b6 7. cxb6 axb6 8. g3 Bb7 9. Nf3 d5 10. Bg2 O-O. White is clearly better (+0.83). The next best moves are 6. bxc3 (−0.18) and 6. Bd2 (−4.60).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.83: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation?
E38. 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+).