ECO E33 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6

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

6. Bd2+0.52

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation (E33), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Bd2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.52).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.526. Bd2 O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Re8 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. e3 Qe7
  2. +0.396. e4 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 e5 8. h3 O-O 9. Rb1 exd4 10. cxd4 Nxe4
  3. +0.316. e3 e5 7. d5 Bxc3+ 8. Qxc3 Ne7 9. Nd2 O-O 10. Be2 a5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Bd2 for White, continuing O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Re8 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. e3 Qe7. White is slightly better (+0.52). The next best moves are 6. e4 (+0.39) and 6. e3 (+0.31).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.52: 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 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Milner-Barry Variation?
E33. 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+).