ECO A06 · Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit

1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e4

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

3… dxe4−0.58

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit (A06), reached after 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.58).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.583… dxe4 4. Ng5 e5 5. h4 Nc6 6. Bc4 Nh6 7. Nxe4 Be7 8. d3
  2. +0.043… d4 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. a4 e6 6. d3 a6 7. Bxd7+ Nxd7 8. Nfd2
  3. +0.273… Nf6 4. exd5 Nxd5 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bg4 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. h3

Other move orders

  • 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 c5 4. e4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit?
After 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Ng5 e5 5. h4 Nc6 6. Bc4 Nh6 7. Nxe4 Be7 8. d3. Black is slightly better (−0.58). The next best moves are 3… d4 (+0.04) and 3… Nf6 (+0.27).
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.58: black 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-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit?
A06. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).