ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6

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

4. exd5+1.63

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. exd5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.63).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.634. exd5 Nb4 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bc4 c6 7. dxc6 Nxc6 8. Nf3 Bg7
  2. +1.514. Nxd5 e6 5. Bg5 f6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. e5 Be7 8. Bxf6 Bxf6
  3. +0.774. Bf4 dxe4 5. Nb5 e5 6. dxe5 Be6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. O-O-O+ Kc8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. exd5 for White, continuing Nb4 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bc4 c6 7. dxc6 Nxc6 8. Nf3 Bg7. White is clearly better (+1.63). The next best moves are 4. Nxd5 (+1.51) and 4. Bf4 (+0.77).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Erben Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.63: 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, Erben 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+).