ECO B32 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 d5

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

5. exd5+0.82

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation (B32), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. exd5 for White. White is clearly better (+0.82).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.825. exd5 Qxd5 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qd6 8. Be2 e6 9. Qd2 Be7
  2. +0.655. Nxc6 bxc6 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Qe2 g6 8. Nc3 Qa5 9. Qf3 Bd7
  3. +0.475. Bb5 dxe4 6. Nc3 Bd7 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nxe4 Qa5+ 9. Nc3 Nf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. exd5 for White, continuing Qxd5 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qd6 8. Be2 e6 9. Qd2 Be7. White is clearly better (+0.82). The next best moves are 5. Nxc6 (+0.65) and 5. Bb5 (+0.47).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.82: 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 Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation?
B32. 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+).