ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. d5

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… Nce7+0.65

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nce7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.65).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.653… Nce7 4. Ne2 d6 5. c4 g6 6. h4 Bg7 7. h5 Nh6 8. Nec3
  2. +0.693… Nb8 4. Be3 Nf6 5. f3 Bb4+ 6. c3 Be7 7. Qd2 d6 8. Ne2
  3. +1.013… Nb4 4. a3 Na6 5. Bxa6 bxa6 6. Be3 d6 7. Qd3 Nf6 8. f3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nce7 for Black, continuing 4. Ne2 d6 5. c4 g6 6. h4 Bg7 7. h5 Nh6 8. Nec3. White is slightly better (+0.65). The next best moves are 3… Nb8 (+0.69) and 3… Nb4 (+1.01).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.65: 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, Linksspringer 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+).