Semi-open games

Nimzowitsch Defense

1.e4 Nc6

The Nimzowitsch Defense starts with 1.e4 Nc6 and is catalogued under ECO B00, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 43 lines inside it, grouped into 41 named variations, and the position after those moves has 4 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Nimzowitsch Defense: Declined Variation
4 plies
Williams Variation
4 plies
Franco-Nimzowitsch Variation
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1…Nc6

    Develops the knight to c6, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  3. 2.Nf3

    Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

4 moves
Nf6Nimzowitsch Defense: Declined Variation4 named lines · Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense · Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense, Pin VariationDevelops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.f5Nimzowitsch Defense: Colorado Countergambit2 named lines · Nimzowitsch Defense: Colorado Countergambit AcceptedAdvances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.d6Nimzowitsch Defense: Williams Variation1 named lineAdvances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.e6Nimzowitsch Defense: Franco-Nimzowitsch Variation1 named lineAdvances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Nimzowitsch Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

17 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Nimzowitsch Defense.