ECO E26 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 b6

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

7. Bd3−0.02

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

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation (E26), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bd3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.02).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.027. Bd3 Bb7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O Be4 10. Bb2 d6 11. Qc2 Bxd3
  2. −0.117. Nf3 O-O 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O Be4 10. Be2 Nc6 11. a4 Qc7
  3. −0.277. Qc2 Bb7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 Be4 10. Qb2 Nc6 11. O-O Na5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bd3 for White, continuing Bb7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O Be4 10. Bb2 d6 11. Qc2 Bxd3. The position is roughly equal (−0.02). The next best moves are 7. Nf3 (−0.11) and 7. Qc2 (−0.27).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.02: 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: Sämisch Variation, O'Kelly Variation?
E26. 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+).