ECO E32 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b5

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

7. cxb5+0.36

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit (E32), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. cxb5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.36).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.367. cxb5 c6 8. f3 Nd5 9. Qb3 f5 10. e3 a6 11. bxc6 Nxc6
  2. +0.157. e3 bxc4 8. Bxc4 a5 9. Ne2 d5 10. Bd3 Ne4 11. Qc2 Ba6
  3. +0.127. c5 a5 8. Qc2 Bb7 9. f3 Nc6 10. e3 Ba6 11. Bd3 e5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. cxb5 for White, continuing c6 8. f3 Nd5 9. Qb3 f5 10. e3 a6 11. bxc6 Nxc6. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 7. e3 (+0.15) and 7. c5 (+0.12).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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, Vitolins-Adorjan Gambit?
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+).