ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 d6

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

4. exd6+0.60

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. exd6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.60).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.604. exd6 Bxd6 5. Nc3 Qe7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. Qe2 Bg4 8. f3 Be6
  2. +0.484. Nf3 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nc3 Bc5 7. Bb5 Nge7 8. Be3 Bxe3
  3. +0.284. Be3 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Nxd8 6. Nf3 f6 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Bxd7+ Kxd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. exd6 for White, continuing Bxd6 5. Nc3 Qe7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. Qe2 Bg4 8. f3 Be6. White is slightly better (+0.60). The next best moves are 4. Nf3 (+0.48) and 4. Be3 (+0.28).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.60: 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, de Smet Gambit?
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+).