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. 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, 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+).