ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense

1. e4 Nc6

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

2. d4+0.41

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.412. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 f6 6. Bb5 Qd7
  2. +0.262. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6
  3. +0.262. Nf3 e5 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Nf6 6. d4 exd4

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4

All Nimzowitsch Defense variations (40)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense?
After 1. e4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. d4 for White, continuing d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 f6 6. Bb5 Qd7. White is slightly better (+0.41). The next best moves are 2. Nc3 (+0.26) and 2. Nf3 (+0.26).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.41: 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 Nimzowitsch Defense?
B00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

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