ECO E46 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Simagin Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Ne2 d5 6. a3 Bd6

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

7. c5+0.13

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

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Simagin Variation (E46), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Ne2 d5 6. a3 Bd6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. c5 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.13).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.137. c5 Be7 8. Ng3 b6 9. b4 a5 10. Rb1 c6 11. Be2 axb4
  2. +0.087. Ng3 b6 8. Be2 Re8 9. O-O Bb7 10. b4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Nbd7
  3. +0.027. Qc2 c6 8. Ng3 Nbd7 9. Be2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 e5 11. Nce2 exd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Simagin Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Ne2 d5 6. a3 Bd6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. c5 for White, continuing Be7 8. Ng3 b6 9. b4 a5 10. Rb1 c6 11. Be2 axb4. The position is roughly equal (+0.13). The next best moves are 7. Ng3 (+0.08) and 7. Qc2 (+0.02).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Simagin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.13: 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: Simagin 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+).