ECO B00 · Nimzowitsch Defense

Nimzowitsch Defense: Wheeler Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. b4

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

2… Nxb4−0.54

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzowitsch Defense: Wheeler Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nxb4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.54).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.542… Nxb4 3. d4 d5 4. c3 Nc6 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 g6 7. Nbd2
  2. −0.232… a6 3. d4 d5 4. e5 Nxb4 5. c3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Na5 7. Nd2
  3. −0.192… e5 3. b5 Nd4 4. c3 Ne6 5. Bc4 Nf4 6. g3 d5 7. exd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Wheeler Gambit?
After 1. e4 Nc6 2. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nxb4 for Black, continuing 3. d4 d5 4. c3 Nc6 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 g6 7. Nbd2. Black is slightly better (−0.54). The next best moves are 2… a6 (−0.23) and 2… e5 (−0.19).
Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Wheeler Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.54: 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: Wheeler 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+).