ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3

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

4… Qxd4−0.70

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Qxd4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.704… Qxd4 5. Bd3 Bg4 6. Nf3 Qd7 7. h3 Bf5 8. Bxf5 Qxf5 9. Be3
  2. +0.884… Qf5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bd3 Qa5 7. O-O Bf5 8. Bb5 a6 9. Bxc6+
  3. +1.174… Qa5 5. d5 Nd8 6. Bd2 e6 7. Bc4 c6 8. Qe2 Qc7 9. Nf3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall Gambit?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Qxd4 for Black, continuing 5. Bd3 Bg4 6. Nf3 Qd7 7. h3 Bf5 8. Bxf5 Qxf5 9. Be3. Black is slightly better (−0.70). The next best moves are 4… Qf5 (+0.88) and 4… Qa5 (+1.17).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.70: black 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: Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall 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+).