ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Main Line

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. f4 Ng6

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

5. Nc3+0.65

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Main Line (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. f4 Ng6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.65).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.655. Nc3 Bb4 6. Qd4 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 d5 8. e5 N8e7 9. Nf3 O-O
  2. +0.505. Be3 d5 6. Qxd5 Qxd5 7. exd5 Nf6 8. Nc3 Bb4 9. O-O-O Bxc3
  3. +0.455. Nf3 d5 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. f5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 N6e7 9. Be2 Nf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Main Line?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. f4 Ng6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing Bb4 6. Qd4 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 d5 8. e5 N8e7 9. Nf3 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.65). The next best moves are 5. Be3 (+0.50) and 5. Nf3 (+0.45).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Main Line 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, Main Line?
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+).