ECO E23 · Nimzo-Indian Defense

Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Bd2 Nxd2

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

8. Nxd20.00

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

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation (E23), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Bd2 Nxd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Nxd2 for White. The position is roughly equal (0.00).

Top engine moves

  1. 0.008. Nxd2 Bxc5 9. g3 b6 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O Rc8 12. Rfd1 Be7
  2. −0.548. Kxd2 Bxc5 9. e3 O-O 10. Ke1 b6 11. Rd1 Bb7 12. Be2 Rc8
  3. −4.248. Qc2 Nxf3+ 9. gxf3 Qf6 10. O-O-O Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 12. bxc3 Ke7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Bd2 Nxd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Nxd2 for White, continuing Bxc5 9. g3 b6 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O Rc8 12. Rfd1 Be7. The position is roughly equal (0.00). The next best moves are 8. Kxd2 (−0.54) and 8. Qc2 (−4.24).
Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at 0.00: 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: Spielmann Variation, Carlsbad Variation?
E23. 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+).