ECO E40 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 Nc6

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

5. Bd2+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation (E40), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Bd2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.445. Bd2 O-O 6. Qc2 a5 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 b6 9. Rd1 d5
  2. +0.415. Qc2 O-O 6. Bd2 a5 7. Nf3 b6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Ba6
  3. +0.385. Bd3 e5 6. Ne2 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 e4 8. Bb1 Na5 9. Qa4 b6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Bd2 for White, continuing O-O 6. Qc2 a5 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 b6 9. Rd1 d5. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 5. Qc2 (+0.41) and 5. Bd3 (+0.38).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: 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: Rubinstein System, Taimanov Variation?
E40. 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+).