ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Keres Attack

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nc3

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

4… Bc5+0.52

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Keres Attack (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.52).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.524… Bc5 5. f4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. e5 Ng4 8. Ne4 Bb6 9. Bc4
  2. +0.884… Nc6 5. Bc4 Bb4 6. Ne2 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Nxc3
  3. +0.924… h5 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be3 Be7 7. h3 Nf6 8. Qd2 c6 9. Nd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Keres Attack?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black, continuing 5. f4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. e5 Ng4 8. Ne4 Bb6 9. Bc4. White is slightly better (+0.52). The next best moves are 4… Nc6 (+0.88) and 4… h5 (+0.92).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Keres Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.52: 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, Keres Attack?
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+).