Chess opening · ECO B00
Nimzowitsch Defense
The Nimzowitsch Defense starts 1. e4 Nc6. It ranks #40 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is Nf3; among players rated 2000 and up, it is d4.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nf3 28% | d4 20% | Nc3 13% |
| 1200–1399 | Nf3 31% | d4 26% | Bc4 12% |
| 1400–1599 | Nf3 34% | d4 29% | Bc4 12% |
| 1600–1799 | d4 39% | Nf3 34% | Bc4 10% |
| 1800–1999 | d4 47% | Nf3 33% | f4 7% |
| 2000 and up | d4 54% | Nf3 31% | Nc3 10% |
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