Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line
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
9… b6+0.05
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line (E58), 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, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… b6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.05).
Top engine moves
- +0.059… b6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. c4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Na5 14. Bd3
- +0.159… Re8 10. a4 b6 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. f3 Rc8 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Qe2
- +0.169… Qc7 10. a4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 b6 12. Re1 e5 13. Ba3 e4 14. Nd2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line?
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, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… b6 for Black, continuing 10. cxd5 exd5 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. c4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Na5 14. Bd3. The position is roughly equal (+0.05). The next best moves are 9… Re8 (+0.15) and 9… Qc7 (+0.16).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bernstein Defense, Exchange Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.05: 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, Exchange Line?
E58. 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+).