ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 a6

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

4. exd5+0.98

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 a6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. exd5 for White. White is clearly better (+0.98).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.984. exd5 Nb4 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. Nf3 Nbxd5 7. Nxd5 Nxd5 8. O-O e6
  2. +0.564. Nf3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Ng3 Bg6 7. c3 Nf6 8. Bd3 Bxd3
  3. +0.454. Nxd5 e6 5. Nc3 Qxd4 6. Bd3 Qd6 7. Nf3 Nf6 8. Qe2 e5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 a6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. exd5 for White, continuing Nb4 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. Nf3 Nbxd5 7. Nxd5 Nxd5 8. O-O e6. White is clearly better (+0.98). The next best moves are 4. Nf3 (+0.56) and 4. Nxd5 (+0.45).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.98: white is clearly 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: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Brandics 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+).