ECO E46 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O

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

5. Nf3+0.20

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation (E46), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.20).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.205. Nf3 c5 6. Be2 d5 7. O-O b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd2 Nc6
  2. +0.195. Bd2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. Qc2 Nbd7 8. Nf3 c5 9. cxd5 exd5
  3. +0.185. Be2 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b6 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Bb7

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White, continuing c5 6. Be2 d5 7. O-O b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd2 Nc6. The position is roughly equal (+0.20). The next best moves are 5. Bd2 (+0.19) and 5. Be2 (+0.18).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.20: the position is roughly equal. 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: Normal Variation?
E46. 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+).