ECO E36 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7. Qc2+0.32

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line (E36), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Qc2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.327. Qc2 O-O 8. Nf3 c5 9. dxc5 e5 10. b4 Bf5 11. cxd5 Qxd5
  2. −0.127. Qd3 O-O 8. Nf3 b6 9. Qc2 c5 10. e3 Bb7 11. Bd3 Nf6
  3. −0.247. Qe3 Nc6 8. Nf3 b6 9. g3 O-O 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Bb7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Qc2 for White, continuing O-O 8. Nf3 c5 9. dxc5 e5 10. b4 Bf5 11. cxd5 Qxd5. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 7. Qd3 (−0.12) and 7. Qe3 (−0.24).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.32: 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, Noa Variation, Main Line?
E36. 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+).