Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4
10… Qc7+0.23
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense (E59), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… Qc7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.23).
Top engine moves
- +0.2310… Qc7 11. h3 h6 12. Re1 Rd8 13. Bf1 b6 14. Bb2 Na5 15. Rc1
- +0.4310… b6 11. Bd3 h6 12. e4 Bb7 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Rb1 Rc8 15. Rd1
- +0.4410… h6 11. Bd3 b6 12. Bb2 Bb7 13. Re1 Na5 14. e4 Nh5 15. Bf1
Other move orders
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 c5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. O-O Qc7 11. Qc2
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… Qc7 for Black, continuing 11. h3 h6 12. Re1 Rd8 13. Bf1 b6 14. Bb2 Na5 15. Rc1. The position is roughly equal (+0.23). The next best moves are 10… b6 (+0.43) and 10… h6 (+0.44).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.23: 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, Bernstein Defense?
E59. 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+).