ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5

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

3. d5+0.66

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. d5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.66).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.663. d5 Nce7 4. Nc3 d6 5. a4 Nf6 6. Bg5 c6 7. Nf3 h6
  2. +0.563. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Nxe5 dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Kxd8 7. Bc4 Ke8
  3. +0.303. Ne2 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 d5 7. e5 Nd7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. d5 for White, continuing Nce7 4. Nc3 d6 5. a4 Nf6 6. Bg5 c6 7. Nf3 h6. White is slightly better (+0.66). The next best moves are 3. dxe5 (+0.56) and 3. Ne2 (+0.30).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.66: 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: Kennedy Variation?
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+).